ATLANTA – In partnership with Operation Warm, the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation are supplying all girls flag football athletes in Georgia and Montana with two sports bras through the FLY:FWD initiative.
The Falcons have been at the forefront of growing girls flag football in Georgia over the past six years, beginning with a pilot program for 19 high schools in Gwinnett County in 2018. This fall, more than 7,000 girls will participate in girls flag football at more than 280 high schools throughout Georgia.
In 2021, the organization expanded its efforts in growing girls flag football to Montana, which has launched pilot programs at the high school level. This fall, 17 Montana high schools are participating in girls flag football across the state.
"We are honored to be a part of the FLY:FWD initiative to further our support of girls flag football," said Atlanta Falcons Senior Director of Community Relations Amanda Dinkel. "Over the past six years, we have seen tremendous growth and enthusiasm for girls flag football. As an organization, we continue to strive to provide all girls the opportunity to participate and aim to remove any barriers of entry to the sport."
FLY:FWD is a groundbreaking initiative aimed to address gender disparities in sports by providing essential equipment to young girls from under resourced communities, empowering them to participate in athletics with confidence. By removing a critical barrier to participation—access to sports bras—the program fosters an environment where girls can actively engage in sports, build self-esteem, and unlock their full potential both on and off the field. FLY:FWD follows the proven mission of Operation Warm, connecting children in need with essential resources that provide warmth, confidence, and hope for a brighter future.
Operation Warm's Executive Director, Grace Sica, says, "For 25 years, Operation Warm has been changing children's lives and now, through our FLY:FWD initiative, we have the power to make an even greater impact by empowering girls to reach their fullest potential. Thanks to invaluable partnerships like the one with AMBFF and the Atlanta Falcons, we're breaking down barriers and opening more doors for girls in sports."
