The College Interscholastic League made a number of choices Monday that may affect the way forward for highschool sports activities in Texas.
The legislative council for the state’s governing physique for highschool sports activities accepted proposals that allowed the upper seed to host the primary spherical of postseason video games for quite a few sports activities in addition to set a plan for improvement of ladies flag soccer to grow to be a pilot sport starting as early because the 2028-29 college yr.
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These proposals, in addition to many others, had been voted on at a gathering Monday on the Westin Austin Area resort. Every of the green-lit recommendations will have to be accepted by the Commissioner of Training earlier than they go into impact.
This is what was handed:
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Postseason dwelling video games for first spherical expanded
Solely in Class 5A and 6A soccer video games does the higher-seeded crew obtain a home-field benefit within the opening spherical of the postseason, with all different sports activities being performed at a impartial website. Nonetheless, that may doubtless change quickly. Starting subsequent college yr, the crew with the upper district end within the first spherical of the playoffs in all soccer classifications, in addition to basketball, soccer, crew tennis and women volleyball, may have the choice to host a sport or mutually comply with a impartial website.
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Travis’ Ashley Deleon brings the ball in to attain whereas taking part in LBJ within the first sport of the inaugural Austin college district women flag soccer match at Burger Stadium, Could 17, 2025. AISD paired with the Dallas Cowboys to be one in all 11 districts in Texas forming a Ladies Flag Soccer League, (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman)
Ladies flag soccer pilot might come as quickly as 2028-29
The legislative council additionally accepted the event of ladies flag soccer “in idea” to debut as a pilot program as quickly because the 2028-29 college yr. The council will collect further info for guidelines and tips for the game and make additional choices at future legislative council conferences.
The pilot program is slated to debut with not more than two classifications.
Ladies flag soccer has skyrocketed nationwide. The game will debut on the 2028 Olympics, a rising variety of NCAA packages are including the game to its portfolio and 25 states already sanction the game. The NFL has been one of many largest gamers within the nationwide development of the game, together with in Texas, the place each the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans have poured a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} into supporting groups. The 2 franchises hosted the primary Texas women flag soccer state championship within the spring.
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Brett Stewart, the director of youth improvement for the Houston Texans, mentioned there’s greater than 250 faculties taking part in flag soccer now and greater than 6,000 athletes collaborating within the sport.
Domestically, faculties from Austin and Spherical Rock have each picked up the game, with many discovering success.
Stewart hopes Monday’s UIL resolution is the subsequent step in rising flag soccer within the football-crazed Lone Star state.
“We need to make sure that the packages which can be involved in being part of the women flag have the chance and have the sources to take action,” he mentioned. “We undoubtedly suppose that with the UIL’s assist, it may proceed to develop as a result of folks see that it may be an official sport. So we’re enthusiastic about that.”
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This text initially printed at UIL eyes flag soccer pilot and expands playoff dwelling discipline benefit in guidelines modifications.