Women’s Flag Football Coming to RCSJ-Cumberland

A new women’s athletic opportunity is coming to Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ), Cumberland campus. The Dukes are proud to announce its inaugural women’s flag football season starting in the spring of 2027.

This summer, RCSJ-Cumberland was awarded a $5,000 grant from the NJCAA Foundation, NFL Flag, and Reigning Champs Experiences to begin this new sports venture. These organizations are committed to enhancing youth sports experiences nationally. RCSJ-Cumberland will use the grant money to buy necessary equipment like footballs, flag sets, protective head equipment, and uniforms.

“RCSJ is thrilled to add another competitive women’s sport to the Dukes’ line-up. With support from lead organizations like NJCAA Foundation, NFL Flag, and Reigning Champs Experiences, we can initiate our inaugural season in spring 2027. We thank them for their generosity and forward thinking,” said Brenden Rickards, RCSJ’s interim president. “This grant aligns perfectly with RCSJ’s commitment to providing all student athletes a place to compete and share their talents with the region.”

According to NFL Football Operations, college conferences across the country are recognizing flag football as an intercollegiate sport. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics declared women’s flag football as an emerging sport in 2020.

Flag football will also become an Olympic competition for the first time in 2028.

RCSJ-Cumberland Director of Athletics, Jonathan Dijamco, shared his thoughts, “The addition of women’s flag football at RCSJ-Cumberland is a response to its growth in South Jersey. As a department, we are thrilled to be adding an emerging sport, but more importantly, to offer another opportunity for our female student-athletes. Our women’s programs have seen consistent growth over the past five years, and we believe women’s flag football will continue that growth for the female student-athletes in our region.”

In an Asphalt Green blog entitled, The Rise of Women’s Flag Football: The New Collegiate, Sport, “women’s flag football provides a competitive and strategic team environment that emphasizes speed, agility, and skill . . . while maintaining the excitement and athleticism of the game.”

Flag football is on the rise due to the demand of competitive sports opportunities for women at the high school and collegiate levels. The benefits are less injuries compared to other traditional women’s sports, college scholarships – creating an athletic pathway to student athletes, and helping build strong, resilient women.

“The NJCAA Foundation is passionate about the value women’s flag football brings to institutions’ overall growth, the student-athlete experience, and equality across playing fields,” stated Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for women of the association to compete at the highest level, and we are fortunate to work hand in hand with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports during this exciting time.”

To stay updated on RCSJ-Cumberland Dukes athletic programs, visit https://www.dukesathletics.com.