TOMS RIVER – A rising high school freshman spoke at a recent Board of Education meeting, asking for the district to add girls flag football to its roster of sports.
Mollea Glover, who recently graduated from Intermediate East, told the school board and officials that she’s been playing flag football since third grade, and it’s instilled in her the confidence to speak at a board meeting about something she cares a lot about.
“Flag football is a big part of what helped me become who I am and makes me feel confident enough to do this, to speak up, lead and advocate for something I believe in,” she said.
More than 100 colleges offer the sport, and it will debut on the Olympic stage in 2028, which shows the sport’s growing popularity and potential for students to continue playing after high school, she said.
“Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in our country, and it is creating real opportunities for girls to build teamwork, leadership, confidence and school pride,” she said.
The New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association sanctioned flag football for the upcoming year, she explained.
Toms River Schools are part of the Shore Conference for athletics. There were 29 teams during the 2025-26 school year in that conference from schools in the region, she said.
“I believe students in our community deserve the same opportunities as students in other schools,” she said. “Toms River should not fall behind other districts.”
“This is not just about adding a sport,” she said. “It is about giving students equal access, opportunity, and belonging.”
The student noted that the sport doesn’t require expensive equipment like other sports.
“I have learned teamwork, communication, leadership, perseverance and confidence,” she said. “It has helped me grow, not only as an athlete but as a person.”
School officials said it was a good idea.
“I think everyone up here cares about more opportunities for our women and girls,” Board President Ashley Lamb, adding that if they did start a program, teachers would be competing over who would coach it.
Superintendent Michael Citta said that he was a flag football coach for a few years, and supported the idea.
“We’re going to figure that out for you, Mollea,” he said.
Citta explained that she wasn’t alone in recommending adding the sport, that other people have made that suggestion as well.
