School districts throughout the Hudson Valley are making history by adding varsity girls flag football teams to their sports lineup for the first time this season.

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District is one of 140 schools across eight sections in New York state to participate in the inaugural season this month. 

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Feb. 2 that the newly established girls teams will become a champion sport in 2024. 

The Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets contributed funds to help start the teams statewide. 

Newburgh’s team has 27 students from their middle and high schools.

“This is kind of an equalizer. It allows them to showcase their skills, whereas that hasn’t been the case,” said coach Liam Henderson. “I know Section 9 football has a rich, probably 100-year history of boys playing football, but now the girls get to show what they have.“

Newburgh will play 10 other inaugural girls varsity flag football teams this season – including Monroe-Woodbury, Middletown, Warwick, and Minisink in Orange County.