BOISE, Idaho — Girls flag football has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. In fact, "Girls Flag Five's" is going to be featured in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The sports is also gaining speed in the Gem State. There have been leagues with both boys and girls in the past, but Optimist Youth Football has created the Treasure Valley's first all-girls league.
"It takes determination, courage and probably just having fun," 10-year-old Quinn said.
All great answers of course, but for Optimist Youth Football, it's really about the desire to play.
"This is just the beginning of what could be an amazing journey for them," Optimist Youth Football President Jerron Moore said.
What better way to celebrate 75 years of youth football in the Treasure Valley, than to grow the game, giving the girls a league of their own.
"Created a tagline for this 75th anniversary and it was 'inspired by generations, focused on the future,'" Moore said. "We knew that there were women who wanted to play football, but you get good starting as a youth and working your way up. It just made sense there would be interest."
The interest – huge – with eighth teams assembling for the inaugural season.
With the squads set, it was time for a showcase, and there was no better stage than one of the most iconic playing surfaces in the country – The Blue at Albertsons Stadium.
"I would have never thought I would've been here," 12-year-old Makenzie said. "It's such an awesome experience. It's been my dream since I was little."
At halftime of the Boise State spring game on Saturday, in front of more than 7,000 fans in the stands, the girls were on a mission.
"To show boys that girls can do the same things," Makenzie said.
Proving that they deserve a spot on the gridiron.
"When we played at school, all the boys said, 'oh you throw like a girl, throw like a man.' I think that saying could be easily changed from this," Makenzie said.
Makenzie's head coach, Samantha Hayes, is a lifelong football fan.
"Growing up I had always wished that I had more access to football, whether it was flag or tackle," Hayes said.
She's hoping an opportunity like this through Optimist Youth Football is just the beginning.
"I try to get girls to play football as early as possible so they can learn the fundamentals and fall even more in love with it like we all have," Hayes said.
"It's going to be very exciting, 'cause I'm planning for high school to play, as a sport," 13-year-old Ellie said. "So, it's going to be very exciting to have other girls to have a chance like I do."
Nine states have already sanctioned girls flag football as a varsity sport, and 17 more are in the early stages of adding it.
"We wanted these girls to really understand what's potentially possible," Moore said.
Optimist hopes this is the pivotal first step towards Idaho joining the ranks.
"We think it can. We think this first group of kids, particularly the younger girls, could be the very first class in Idaho to play flag football as a varsity sport," Moore said. "They know they need more girls sports, and this is the feeder program. The more kids here, then it goes up the line."
Not only is the interest there, but so is the growth. Registration is open for the fall season now, and Optimist Youth Football has already doubled its numbers from this spring.
To register a player or get involved as a coach or volunteer, click here.
Watch more Sports:
See KTVB sports coverage in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.