Florida's 20 Year Headstart with Jeremy Hernandez of the Florida HS Athletic Association

In this episode of the She Plays Flag Podcast, host Matt Mashburn discusses the growth and development of girls' flag football in Florida with Jeremy Hernandez from the Florida High School Athletic Association. Jeremy shares his journey from New Mexico to Florida, where he took on the role of overseeing girls' flag football. He highlights the significant progress made since the sport was first sanctioned in Florida in 2003, noting the increase in participation and the establishment of a competitive framework. The conversation delves into the advantages Florida has over other states, particularly in terms of experience and infrastructure, as well as the challenges that come with rapid growth, such as the need for more officials and the potential for scheduling conflicts with other sports.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Girls' Flag Football03:04 The History of Flag Football in Florida05:39 Florida's Competitive Advantage in Flag Football09:02 Challenges in Growing the Sport13:04 The Role of Coaches and Officials17:12 Attracting Girls to Flag Football22:58 Future Opportunities for Female Athletes30:12 Challenges of Growth in Flag Football32:26 Structure of Girls' Flag Football in Florida35:31 Encouraging New Programs37:23 Interest from Other States40:02 The Future of Flag Football42:20 Risks of Rapid Growth45:57 Planning for Sustainable Growth47:04 Exciting Future Prospects