IHSAA approves new transfer rules for Indiana high school athletes, makes girls flag football an emerging sport

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors has approved new transfer rules for athletes.

According to a press release, the board formally adopted changes to Rule 19, which pertains to athletes’ first-time transfer eligibility, on Monday.

With the new changes to Rule 19, athletes will be allowed to transfer from IHSAA Member School to IHSAA Member School one time while maintaining full eligibility, so long as the transfer occurs during their first six semesters of high school.

Even with the new changes to Rule 19 in place, the IHSAA will continue to place restrictions on athletes transferring two or more times. The restrictions placed on two-time transfer athletes, according to the IHSAA, will be similar to those previously enforced on one-time transfer athletes.

Before changes were made to Rule 19, one-time transfer athletes were not allowed to transfer for reasons motivated by athletics.

Under the revised version of Rule 19, students whose second transfer involves a return to the IHSAA Member School where they established their initial promotion eligibility will retain full eligibility within 365 days of their enrollment date at the previous school.

Per the IHSAA, the revised version of Rule 19 will go into effect on June 1.

IHSAA Board of Directors makes girls flag football an emerging sport

In addition to the transfer rules it approved, the IHSAA Board of Directors officially made girls flag football an emerging sport on Monday. Girls flag football joins girls lacrosse on the IHSAA’s list of emerging sports.

Now that they have been designated as “emerging sports” by the IHSAA, girls flag football and lacrosse now have a path to officially become IHSAA-sanctioned sports.

The IHSAA issues rule books, conducts coaches rules meetings and provides coverage in the IHSAA’s Catastrophic Medical program for emerging sports. As emerging sports, girls flag football and girls lacrosse will be subjected to official IHSAA rules and policies.

In its press release, the IHSAA indicated that girls flag football has strong support and financial backing from the Indianapolis Colts. On Monday night, the franchise issued a statement on girls flag football earning an emerging sport designation from the IHSAA:

“The growth of girls flag football has accelerated greatly over the past few years, from little league to high school all the way to the 2028 Olympics,” Kalen Jackson, Colts Vice Chair and Owner, said via release. “We’re grateful to the IHSAA for continuing this momentum and opening more opportunities for girls and women athletes across Indiana.”

According to a press release, the Colts created a girls high school football league of their own in 2023. The league had just eight teams from Indianapolis and South Bend in it two years ago. Last season, the league expanded to 27 teams.

In order for girls flag football to become an officially sanctioned IHSAA sport, 100 schools have to field girls flag football teams. To help make girls flag football an emerging sport, the Colts launched their “Road to 100” program. Colts owner Jim Irsay and his family made a $1 million investment in the program.

In their press release, the Colts indicated that it typically costs schools between $5,000 and $8,000 to start a new sports program. To help schools offset the costs associated with starting a girls flag football team, the Colts gave each school that joined their “Road to 100” program $10,000.

So far, 65 high schools have made commitments to field girls flag football teams in 2025. The Colts have established a website for high schools interested in starting girls flag football teams and joining the “Road to 100” program.