The She Plays Flag Podcast
She Plays Flag is a podcast focused on the growth of girls flag football and the people shaping its future.
Hosted by longtime football fan and coach Matt Mashburn, the mission of the show is simple: to educate and advocate all things girls flag football.
The show explores the sport through conversations with coaches, administrators, organizers, and leaders working across the flag football ecosystem. From understanding the rules and structure, to navigating high school and college pathways, to examining where the game is headed next.
She Plays Flag is for anyone who cares about where girls flag football is going and how it gets there.
The She Plays Flag Podcast
Growing the Game: The View from Colorado with Coach Greg Johnson, Ralston Valley HS, Colorado
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Thanks for joining the inaugural episode of She Plays Flag!
In this conversation, Coach Greg Johnson discusses his journey as the head coach of Ralston Valley High School's girls flag football team in Colorado. He shares insights on building the program from scratch, the growth of girls flag football in the state, and the importance of fostering a positive environment for athletes. Coach Johnson emphasizes the need for patience, communication, and respect among players, coaches, and parents. He also highlights the future of girls flag football, including recruiting opportunities and the potential for the sport to grow nationally.
Takeaways
- Ralston Valley High School has a strong athletic reputation.
- The girls flag football program has seen significant growth in Colorado.
- Building a program from scratch requires patience and dedication.
- Communication with athletes and parents is crucial for success.
- Girls flag football is gaining recognition and support at the state level.
- The structure of high school flag football in Colorado includes two divisions: 4A and 5A.
- Recruiting for girls flag football is evolving with more opportunities available.
- Coaches should focus on building trust and respect with their players.
- The future of girls flag football looks promising with potential for college scholarships.
- Creating a positive environment is essential for the growth of the sport.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ralston Valley High School and Coach Johnson
12:15 Building the Flag Football Program from Scratch
22:38 Challenges and Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado
24:17 Coaching Challenges and Volunteer Support
25:58 Training the Next Generation of Coaches
28:30 Building a Flag Football Community
29:35 Developing Youth Programs and Camps
30:54 The Importance of a Strong Pipeline
31:45 Differences Between Freshmen and Upperclassmen
37:06 Structure of High School Girls Flag Football in Colorado
44:00 Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado
50:16 The Joy of Watching Daughters Play Football
54:37 Pathways for Girls in Football After High School
01:00:55 Navigating the Recruiting Landscape
01:05:15 Advice for New Coaches in Flag Football
01:14:34 Building a Positive Culture in Sports