A RUSH program aimed at introducing middle school girls to flag football took place at the UNLV Peter Johann Memorial Soccer Field on Friday. Funded by the Las Vegas Raiders, the program aims to showcase the positive impact that sports can have on young girls’ lives. The initiative was developed in response to an increase in anxiety and depression among youth during the pandemic and has seen participation triple in just three years.
Dr. Jennifer Pharr, a professor of public health at UNLV, emphasized the numerous health benefits of girls participating in sports. These include a lower risk of chronic diseases, improved mental health, better well-being, and the development of valuable skills such as leadership, goal-setting, and competition. By encouraging girls to continue playing sports through high school, the program hopes to combat the fact that girls in middle school drop out at a higher rate than boys.
Flag football was chosen as the core sport for the RUSH program due to its increasing popularity and potential for growth. Participation has tripled in three years, with some students even earning scholarships to NIAA colleges and universities to play flag football. In addition to its popularity among youth athletes, flag football will make its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The ultimate goal of the RUSH program is to equip young girls in Las Vegas with the tools necessary not just to survive their teenage years but thrive in the long term. Through sports participation, they can develop essential life skills that will benefit them throughout their lives while also promoting physical and mental wellness.
