By Brent Frankenhoff

Amherst and Weyauwega-Fremont were among 20 Wisconsin high schools to recently receive $5,000 grants from the Green Bay Packers for their girls flag football programs. In addition to the grant itself, each program receives a girls flag starter kit from USA Football.

Packers Football Outreach Manager Ryan Fencl said that with 14 states already sanctioning girls flag football as a high-school sport, it’s the Packers’ goal to have Wisconsin join that list soon, and these grants help make significant strides toward that goal.

Amherst’s program, headed by Shaun Anderson and assisted by Hunter Warner, began in the spring of 2024. In addition to girls flag football, Anderson and Warner are assistant coaches to the boys football program and, Anderson said, “Another assistant coach went to a Packer game and saw girls flag football being played at Lambeau Field during halftime.” With Amherst’s girls already playing a “powder puff football” game during Homecoming Week that’s always competitive and entertaining, Anderson made the suggestion to the high school girls that they should try to make a team.

“Fast forward a few months and we had a meeting during school to see who was interested in playing girls flag football,” he said. “We had a great turnout for this meeting, and I made contact with our football conference opponent Weyauwega Fremont who also had a girls flag football team.

“Both Amherst and Weyauwega agreed to a game under the Friday night lights on May 24, 2024. The girls were excited to play, and it turned out to be a wonderful night for football. Amherst won 43-32 in a very close game.

“That particular evening was another great example of how great our community really is. We did not have access to grant money last year, so the whole event was made possible by volunteers from announcers to the clock, chain gang, supervisors, and officials. Everyone who volunteered their time to give these girls an opportunity to play, I am so grateful for their help. This program certainly does not happen without it. Almost everybody who helped last year is planning on participating this year as well.

“We are very grateful to the Packers for giving us this grant. Just like many school functions, it takes a lot of time and money to put things together. This grant will allow us to get equipment, fund our home events, and travel to away events.”

After contacting other teams in the Fox Valley this past fall, Anderson and Warner have now made Amherst part of a six-team league with games scheduled for May.

“We encourage everyone to come out and support the teams,” Anderson said. “It’s another opportunity for girls to compete. This program is 100% driven by the girls participating and, as long as there is an interest in girls flag football, we (both Coach Warner and myself) are more than happy to help.”

Flag football player Hollie Singer told the Spirit, “Playing flag football is so much fun. I usually play volleyball and basketball throughout the year, but I love how this team brings together a whole new group of girls for me to get to know. Last year, we were surprised by how well we played as a team, especially in a sport we didn’t have much experience with. There’s also something really exciting about playing on the turf under the bright lights — it makes the whole experience feel special. I’m really looking forward to this season, especially since we have more games and get to compete against other schools.”

The Packers plan to present another 20 grants next year, and interested schools can apply at packers.formstack.com/forms/girls_flag_grant.

Girls Flag Football Schedule

Friday, May 9

At Saint Francis Xavier in Appleton, starting at 7 p.m.

Game 1:
Xavier vs. Amherst
Appleton East vs. Weyauwega-Fremont

Game 2:
Xavier vs. Weyauwega-Fremont
Amherst vs. Appleton East

Friday, May 16

At Amherst, starting at 7 p.m.

Amherst vs. Weyauwega

Saturday, May 31

At Amherst, starting at 11 a.m.

Game 1:
Appleton West vs. Amherst
Weyauwega-Fremont vs. Appleton North

Game 2:
Amherst vs. Appleton North
Appleton West vs. Weyauwega-Fremont

Amherst’s first and only girls flag football game was played May 24, 2024. This year’s multi-game schedule begins May 9.