The New York Jets have announced the expansion of their Girls Flag Football League in Dublin.
The professional American football team, which competes in the NFL’s American Football Conference (AFC’s) East division, expanded into Ireland in 2024, after it was awarded rights to expand their brand and activities for Ireland as part of NFL’s ‘Global Markets Programme.’
The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the Titans of New York, rebranding in 2963 and winning Super Bowl III in 1969. The team is recognised internationally for its iconic green and white uniforms that were chosen by former owner Sonny Werblin because of his birthday falling on Saint Patrick’s Day.
The Jets support for Girls Flag Football began in 2011 with the launch of a league with the PSAL in New York City, becoming the first NFL Club to help launch Girls Flag Football at the varsity level. In 2021, they launched a High School Girls Flag Football League in New Jersey, and in 2023 launched the first-ever NFL supported girls flag football league in the UK.
In Ireland, since last year’s inaugural season, the league has doubled in size—from 80 to 160 girls representing 16 schools across Dublin. Teams received their official team kits, provided by Nike, at the League launch event at the Sport Ireland Campus.
Year two of the Jets NFL Girls Flag football league launched on Thursday at the Sport Ireland Campus, featuring 16 schools across Dublin.
“The first league of its kind in the country, it aims to increase girls’ access to and participation in sports through NFL Flag – the official flag football program of the NFL. With a fun, exciting, and accessible format, it helps participants build lifelong psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience as they work together to plan and execute winning plays,” a statement reads.
Jets NFL Girls Flag League Dublin – Participating Schools:
To mark the start of the initiative’s second year, the Jets welcomed all 160 participants (aged 12-15) from 16 schools across Dublin to the Sport Ireland Campus for an all-day launch event. The day featured a Q&A session with Jamien Sherwood (Jets Linebacker), Marcelino McCrary-Ball (Jets Linebacker) and Mickey McDermott, Head Coach of Jets Flag Elite, who shared stories from their time in the sport and discussed the international growth of flag football and the positive impact of participation.
Many girls in attendance had their first chance to try the sport, with a quarterback camp run by Coach Mickey McDermott.
“It’s fantastic to be back in Dublin for the second year of our Jets NFL Girls Flag league,” said Jesse Linder, Jets Vice President of Community Relations.
“We are building good momentum in Ireland, and we’re thrilled to see participation double in 2026. The Jets truly believe in the power of flag football, and we’re committed to ensuring that all girls have the opportunity to try the sport. We’re looking forward to several exciting weeks of competition and wish all our teams the very best of luck.”
“We’re seeing incredible momentum for girls’ participation across Ireland,” said Dr. Chris Long, Lead Manager, Youth and Grassroots Football Development for the U.K. & Ireland.
“Initiatives like the Jets NFL Girls Flag league are vital in creating welcoming, high-quality pathways into the sport. It’s inspiring to watch these young athletes develop confidence, skill, and a sense of belonging through Flag Football.”
The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games program, led by the efforts of the International Federation of American Football and supported by the NFL. AFI says it is looking forward to working with the NFL to grow Flag Football in Ireland.