WHAT IS GIRLS FLAG?
Girls Flag Football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, offering young women a fast-paced, skill-driven, non-contact format of the game. Played 5-on-5 or 7-on-7 depending on the league, the sport emphasizes speed, strategy, route running, teamwork, and quick decision-making. With no tackling involved, athletes focus on pulling flags instead of bringing players to the ground, making the game safer while still highly competitive and exciting to watch.In recent years, Girls Flag Football has exploded in popularity, becoming a sanctioned high school sport across many states and earning national recognition from colleges and major athletic organizations. This growth reflects more than just interest—it represents a powerful movement toward women’s empowerment, expanding access to competitive sports and giving female athletes opportunities that didn’t exist a decade ago.Today, girls flag stands at the center of a new era in women’s athletics—one built on visibility, opportunity, and the belief that young women deserve the same stage, support, and investment as any other athlete.
THE MISSION
Our mission is to empower young female athletes by giving them access to high-quality coaching, competitive opportunities, and a supportive community that believes in their potential. We are committed to creating a space where girls can build confidence, develop leadership, and compete with pride—both as athletes and as young women. Through effort, inclusivity, and genuine mentorship, Next Play/APEX aims to elevate the future of girls flag football and ensure that every athlete feels seen, supported, and inspired to chase what’s next.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Denise Burch
Director of Girls Flag, Next Play Bay Area
Head Coach, APEX Flag
Coach Burch has been a dedicated leader in the sport since the launch of the Burlingame High School girls flag football program in 2023, where she currently serves as the JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. Her coaching development includes training through 49ers PREP clinics and multiple leadership workshops, consistently expanding her knowledge to better serve her athletes and her program.
With a professional background as an educator, Coach Burch brings a unique level of patience, communication, and student-centered support to her coaching. She has spent years assisting students in the classroom, and that same commitment carries onto the field—teaching young women not only the fundamentals of the sport but also confidence, teamwork, and emotional resilience. Her ability to connect with athletes, meet them where they are, and guide them toward who they can become is a hallmark of her coaching style.
Passionate about growing one of the fastest-rising sports in the country, Coach Burch is committed to showing young women the power of their voice, their strength, and their potential. She believes that girls flag football is more than a sport; it’s a platform for empowerment, leadership, and lifelong growth. In every practice and every game, she embodies what “Next Play” stands for—resilience, opportunity, and the lasting impact of strong female leadership.