The partnership between AISD and the Dallas Cowboys was officially announced in February 2025, with plans for the league to commence competitive play in the spring of the same year. Each high school within the district formed a varsity-level 7-on-7 flag football team, participating in the league’s inaugural season. The league’s formation was part of a broader initiative by the Cowboys to establish regional girls’ flag football leagues across Texas, aiming to foster inclusivity and provide female athletes with opportunities to excel in the sport. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth+3Austin ISD+3Austin ISD+3
The Dallas Cowboys have been instrumental in the development of girls’ flag football leagues throughout Texas. The organization, led by Co-Owner Charlotte Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott, has provided substantial support to participating school districts. This support includes grant funds to assist with coaching stipends, team uniforms, equipment packages from USA Football, and coaching education. Such resources are crucial in ensuring that the league operates effectively and that athletes receive quality training and equipment. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth+7d210.tv+7dallascowboys.com+7Austin ISD+1Austin ISD+1
The first season of the AISD girls’ flag football league commenced in the spring of 2025, featuring teams from each of the district’s high schools. The league’s competitive play spanned several months, culminating in a championship tournament held at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. This event not only showcased the athletic prowess of the participants but also underscored the growing popularity and legitimacy of girls’ flag football in the state. Austin ISD+1Austin ISD+1Austin ISD+4austinisdtx.edurooms.com+4NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth+4
The establishment of the girls’ flag football league in AISD is part of a larger movement to promote female participation in sports. While flag football is not yet officially sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) in Texas, the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics and its growing presence at the collegiate level signal a promising future. For instance, the University of Texas at Arlington announced plans to introduce women’s flag football as a varsity sport starting in Spring 2027, becoming the first Division I school in Texas to do so. Houston Chronicle+1Axios+1Chron
The AISD-Cowboys partnership serves as a model for other districts, demonstrating how collaboration between educational institutions and professional sports organizations can create meaningful opportunities for young female athletes. By providing access to organized competition, quality coaching, and exposure to collegiate pathways, the league is helping to break down barriers and inspire the next generation of female football players.austinisdtx.edurooms.com+2Austin ISD+2Austin ISD+2
The collaboration between the Dallas Cowboys and the Austin Independent School District represents a significant advancement in the promotion of girls’ sports in Texas. Through the establishment of the high school girls’ flag football league, both organizations have demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusivity, providing opportunities for young female athletes, and supporting the growth of flag football as a competitive sport. As the league continues to develop, it holds the potential to inspire similar initiatives across the state and beyond, contributing to a more equitable landscape in youth sports
