Haverhill, MA (October 14, 2026) – Northern Essex Community College is pleased to announce the addition of women’s flag football to its varsity athletic offerings beginning with the 2027-28 academic year. The newly established program will begin practices in the fall of 2027 and compete in spring 2028.
The fastest-growing sport at the collegiate level, the NJCAA will offer a national championship in the sport for the first time in the spring 2028 season, coinciding with the Knights taking the field on its new all-turf outdoor athletic complex on the Haverhill campus.
Girls flag football participation at the high school level has increased nearly 50% over the previous year across the nation, and more than 80 high schools in Massachusetts will sponsor the sport in the spring of 2027. Participation at the NJCAA has more than doubled since it began recognizing the sport in 2025.
“We’re excited to join the growing number of schools to sponsor Women’s Flag Football, and to offer new opportunities for women to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. We look forward to bringing this exciting sport to our championship culture at Northern Essex”, stated Knights Athletic Director Dan Blair. “Right now, the sport has its greatest number of participants in Massachusetts within the Merrimack Valley, and this will help us tremendously in building our program.”
NECC will become the third community college in Massachusetts to announce the addition of the sport, joining Roxbury and Massasoit.
The search for the inaugural head coach of the program is underway; interested applicants can apply through the included link. Additional information about the program, including its inaugural season, coaching staff, and recruitment opportunities, will be announced at a later date.
Interested prospective students may complete the online student recruitment form and/or contact Director of Athletics Dan Blair dblair@necc.mass.edu for additional information.
