The New York Jets announced the launch of their new Jets NFL Girls Flag league Tuesday in Dublin, Ireland ahead of International Women’s Day.

Eighty girls (aged 12-15) from eight schools across Dublin joined the team for the league’s all-day launch event at the Sport Ireland Campus. The league is the first of its kind to be established in the country and aims to increase access to and participation in sports by girls across the city.

The launch kicked off by welcoming the girls into the Jets growing international family with a panel discussion hosted by Her Sport Founder, Niamh Tallon. Featuring the colors and sounds of a game day at MetLife Stadium, the panel introduced the girls to the unique Jets fan culture before discussing the global popularity of flag football and the positive impact of taking part.

Niamh was joined on stage for the discussion by special guests: Quincy Williams, Eli Hodges, Jets Director of Community Relations and Youth Football, Afia Law, NFL International Flag Football Development, and Megan Howe and Helen Smyth from the Irish Wolfhounds Flag Football Team.

Following the panel, Isaiah Davisjoined the girls in fun skill-based activity stations such as Quarterback net, table tennis, and digital photobooth before the girls were presented with their official Nike league kits. In the afternoon, the girls took to the field to participate in a host of NFL Flag related drills and skills before the competitive action got under way with the first round of league fixtures.

Flag football is the non-contact version of American Football and is inclusive and accessible for all. The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games program, led by efforts of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and supported by the NFL.

Starting at the launch event on Tuesday, March 4^th, all 80 girls will participate across five weeks of league matches, before going head-to-head in a final Championship Event on Tuesday, April 8^th. Together, the girls plan and execute winning plays, building life-long psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience, and playing the sport can contribute to improved mental wellbeing.

“We are delighted to be announcing the launch of our new Jets NFL Girls Flag league here in Dublin and welcoming 80 new girls into our growing family in Ireland,” said Jesse Linder, Jets Vice President of Community Relations. “Creating opportunities to grow girls’ participation in sport is a key priority for the Jets, both at home and in our international markets. NFL Flag provides the perfect platform to support this ambition, teaching skills and providing benefits both on and off the field. Spending time in Dublin this week, we can see and feel the excitement around our sport and hope the league can play a part in engaging a new generation of girls with the Jets and the NFL.”

“It was a pleasure to attend the launch of the Jets NFL Girls Flag league,” said Afia Law, NFL International Flag Football Development. “Female participation in flag football is growing around the world and initiatives such as these run by the Jets are a key component of the sports success. The passion and enthusiasm on display was infectious and I wish the girls the best of luck in the league’s inaugural year.”

“The positive impacts of female participation in sport at a young age are powerful and lasting and this is why, as Lord Mayor, I have prioritised the promotion and participation of women and girls in sport,” said Emma Blain, Lord Mayor of Dublin. “The league launched by the Jets is a fantastic moment to be part of and will provide an inclusive and safe environment for girls to enjoy sport across Dublin.”

The launch of the league represents the latest activation by the Jets in Ireland since April 2024 when the franchise was awarded the right to expand its brand and activities in the country as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program’ (GMP).

In 2024, the team enlisted Love Island star and former Irish rugby union player Greg O’Shea to announce the first-ever New York Jets live NFL Draft pick from Dublin and hosted their first-ever official Ireland watch party at Buskers on the Ball for the team’s Week 14 clash against the Miami Dolphins in December.

Irish fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news about the New York Jets and hear about their upcoming activities by visiting **www.nyjetsinternational.com**. Follow them on social platforms, @NYJetsinUKandIE on X and @newyorkjetsinuk on Instagram for more information.