Jets Expand Girls Flag League in South London
New York Jets Girls Flag League London is expanding with Palace for Life to eight schools, backed by a $100,000 grant.
The New York Jets are expanding their NFL Jets Girls Flag League London through a partnership with Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club. A $100,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation will provide equipment and training for eight schools in the Crystal Palace area. The Spring 2027 league is set to include more than 40 schools and over 450 girls. The initiative gives South London pupils a route into non-contact American football.
Eight Schools Join League
Orchard Park, Langley Park School for Girls, Sedgehill Academy, Orion Eden Park, Hayes Park, Carshalton High School for Girls, Orion Ravensbourne and La Retraite will join the league. Each school will receive uniforms, practice jerseys and flag football equipment.
To begin the partnership, 90 representatives from the eight schools attended a clinic at the Crystal Palace Academy hosted by the Jets. The participants tried flag football for the first time and will use their training ahead of the wider league launch.
Woody Johnson, Chairman at New York Jets, said:
“Sports have the power to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities for young people. Through the Jets, Crystal Palace and Palace for Life, we can make sure more girls have the opportunity to participate, compete and be part of a team. We've seen how quickly girls flag football has grown, and we're proud to continue expanding our efforts internationally and creating new pathways for young women in South London and beyond.”
Building New Opportunities
Palace for Life identified the eight schools through its existing network. The charity will work with the Jets over the next year to introduce girls across South London schools to the sport.
Mike Summers, CEO at Palace for Life, said:
“At Palace for Life, we use the power of sport to engage young people and help them find new opportunities. I'm delighted we're working with the New York Jets over the next year to introduce girls across south London schools to flag football, a non-contact version of American football. Offering something different from our usual football activities (soccer, as our new partners would say!) could inspire girls we might otherwise miss, helping them develop teamwork, leadership and resilience. With its Olympic debut at LA 2028 ahead, it's an exciting time to get involved. The partnership also celebrates the link between Crystal Palace FC and the Jets through our shared owner, Woody Johnson. A huge thank you to the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for making this possible.”
A Growing London Program
The Jets’ collective investment in girls flag football activities in London and Dublin now exceeds $1.5 million. The event was overseen by the Jets Flag Elite Team, a girls flag football travel team intended to provide a pathway to elite-level sport.
Flag football will be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, led by the International Federation of American Football and supported by the NFL. The expanded London league gives more girls a chance to take part as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut.
