In a groundbreaking move for high school athletics, McKinley High School is launching its first ever Girls Flag Football Program. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) and the Hawaii State Department of Education have begun a partnership with the National Football League, the Seattle Seahawks, and Nike in order to bring this program to fruition. This initiative offers young female athletes at MHS and around the state a chance to break new ground in a traditionally-male dominated sport. 

Thirteen states in the US currently sanction girls flag football as a varsity sport, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Hawaii was the twelfth state to authorize it as a sport. Girls Flag Football was announced to be offered to all public schools on August 1st, 2024 by the HHSAA and the HIDOE. 

Brianne Ching, the new lead coach for this team in McKinley, has been coaching since the 2020-2021 season as an assistant coach for the girls soccer team and was an MHS athlete during her time attending. 

“Having played soccer in high school here at McKinley, I’ve always had a deep connection to sports and the school,” Ching said. 

“Now, being able to coach and give back to the school and the sport that played such a big role in my life has been incredibly rewarding.” 

Ching has remained dedicated to her athletic path with her involvement in the Women’s Island Soccer Association (WISA). 

“Coaching allows me to continue being involved in sports while helping develop the next generation of athletes,” Ching said. 

 “As an alumna, I wanted to give back to the community that shaped me, and coaching gives me the perfect opportunity to pass on my knowledge and passion for the game to the students who are now walking the same halls I did.” 

These feelings are beginning to emerge in students thanks to this program. One student in particular, Aira Villaver (c/o 2025) is a new prospect for the upcoming flag football team. 

“I have always liked the sport so when I found out my school was going to have it, I got so excited,” Villaver said. 

“After seeing the interest level of the girls at the clinics, I feel like this is going to stick around for a long time.”

Ching highlighted the multitude of ways that sports helped shape who she is as a person today. 

“Sports taught me responsibility, accountability, and the importance of being on time. I also learned valuable lessons as a team player, how to focus, listen, and communicate effectively with my teammates and coaches. Sports also taught me to overcome adversity, to think quickly under pressure, and most importantly to never give up,” she said. 

“I definitely would have loved the opportunity to play football when I was growing up, so I believe it is essential for girls to have access to these opportunities because they not only strengthen physical abilities, but it also instills confidence, resilience, and teamwork, skills that are valuable in every aspect of life.”

Bob Morikuni, McKinley’s Athletics Director, is optimistic that this program will produce a higher percentage of girls in school that participate in sports.

“This is just one sport and we are hoping to possibly expand to more sports in order to bring more girls into athletics,” Morikuni said.

Morikuni was thankful at the major impact in interest and funding that was brought on by multiple state legislatures.

“Multiple state legislatures came onto campus to talk about the new program back in August and they have been very supportive of the sports here and other endeavors as well, such as our new football stadium.”

Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, although not personally involved in the creation of this program, has remained in fervent support of it and other actions similar to it. 

“I have supported what is known as Title IX funding for years,” Luke said. 

“Before I was Lieutenant Governor, I was in the legislature for 24 years, and during that time we provided funding for equity in sports and fought for things like making sure there were girls’ locker rooms.”   

Luke has focused on assisting not only high school sports, but has also made sure to help college sports to have equal opportunities for women. 

“In the last several years, we have provided close to one hundred million dollars to bring schools around the state up to standard and make sure there are equal chances given,” Luke said. 

Luke emphasized that it is beyond just getting to play the sports for girls as they provide opportunities for school and education as well. 

“Tons of kids in the state of Hawai’i are on partial or full scholarships because of sports,” Luke said. 

“Having these connections with young girls early is a huge equalizer when it comes to things like college expenses, and if we can use sports as a way to defray some of the financial challenges, then we should.” 

Both Ching and Luke hold similar dedication to providing girls with the tools they need to succeed, both on the field and off of it. 

“ I’m dedicated to creating a space where they can grow and develop their skills, building not just their athletic abilities, but again, their confidence, leadership, and teamwork,” Ching said. 

“I believe the girls are excited about this opportunity because it offers something new and empowering.  They’ll get to compete with other females in a safe environment, without the concern of having to play alongside boys.”

Luke believes that we should not think of girl’s sports after the fact, they should be thought of automatically. 

“Why do we have boys football but girls can’t play when there are many girls that want to,” she said. 

“There are tons of girls watching their brothers or their cousins playing on the sidelines wondering, ‘how come I don’t get to play?’”

Villaver noted that this program will make girls around our islands feel very impactful for getting to play this kind of sport. 

“It will give me and other girls the confidence to feel like if boys can do it, so can I.”