Girls Flag Football Growth, New Wrestling Facility at Shadow Hills, and Firebirds Player Scores Olympic Goal

Girls flag football is gaining momentum across the Coachella Valley, and with the sport now officially recognized by CIF, more young athletes are stepping onto the field. A new training program called “I’m Her,” based out of Category 5 gym, is helping prepare the next generation of female players by focusing on movement, injury prevention, and game awareness.

Coaches say the goal is to build confidence and increase players’ football IQ while preparing them for future opportunities — including college scholarships now available across Division I programs. Athletes in the program say they enjoy the speed, agility, and competitive energy of the sport, while families and coaches emphasize the importance of support and development as the game continues to grow locally.

Meanwhile, Shadow Hills High School is expanding opportunities for female athletes with a brand-new wrestling facility. The school’s wrestling program now includes more than 100 athletes across boys and girls teams and had outgrown its previous space. Athletic Director Jody Davis says the new facility was years in the making, with district leaders collaborating closely on the design to meet the needs of the growing program. The team is expected to begin practicing in the new space this week.

In Olympic hockey action, Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Oscar Fisker Mølgaard scored his first Olympic goal for Team Denmark. The goal came early in the first period against Germany, beating his Seattle Kraken teammate Philipp Grubauer. Germany ultimately won the game 3–1.

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