The New York Jets has launched Ireland’s first ever girls flag football league in Dublin.

The first of its kind NFL-backed initiative will see teams from eight schools in the capital compete across five weeks in flag football – a non-contact version of American football.

And today, all 80 competitors, aged between 12 and 15, joined the Jets for the league’s all-day launch event at the Sport Ireland Campus.

Speaking to RTÉ at the launch, Jesse Linder, Jets Vice President of Community Relations, said Ireland was the perfect fit for flag football.

He said: “If you play any sport, you have transferrable skills to flag, and already I see a lot of these girls have those skills.

“Sport can do so many good things for people, self-esteem, leadership, wellness.

“So, for us to come out here and provide new opportunities for girls in this country to try something new, we think it’s the least we can do as we expand our brand globally.”

With an Olympic debut set for 2028, flag football is a global brand that’s expanding fast, largely thanks to grassroots initiatives just like this one.

And as the NFL aims to grow into Ireland, with the Pittsburgh Steelers set to play a league fixture in Croke Park later this year, Mr. Linder believes the accessibility of flag will play a huge role in that expansion.

He said: “Ultimately we think American football is the best sport in the world, we know the benefits it could bring.

“And so, to grow game globally is so important to us. We want to see teams that can compete with the US, but hopefully not beat us.”

Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, who also attended the launch, added that after just two days in Ireland, he can already see an appetite for the game.

“We already have NFL fans here; we already have Jets fans here. So, it’s already kind of trickling its way across the pond.

“So, let’s go full throttle. Welcome Ireland, we’re here and we’re here to stay,” he said.

Despite prospects of global expansion, the league ultimately aims to provide new opportunities to women in Irish sport, at a time when over 30% of girls stop playing as they transition from primary to secondary school, according to Sport Ireland.

Irish Wolfhounds captain and Irish international Jenny Kavanagh said that with an increase in foreign investment, flag has seen an “exponential growth” in its player base.

“To see teams coming in and focusing on girls is so important, particularly at this age 12 to 15 years old, that’s a big drop out age.

“A big reason for that is that girls may have lost love for the sport they played or it’s getting too competitive.

“So, I think having the option of a completely new sport that no one has ever played, with no rookies, no experts, none of that, is really amazing,” she said.

The New York Jets NFL Irish girls flag football League kicked off today.

Regular season games will be held weekly, culminating in a return to the Sport Ireland Campus for a Championship event on 8 April.