Hawaiʻi-born quarterback Akemi Higa is part of the next wave trying to earn a place in the U.S. women’s flag football pipeline.
The 17-year-old, who is from Hawaiʻi and Las Vegas, was listed by Hawaiʻi Public Radio and The Associated Press as one of the young players pushing for Team USA opportunities during a key evaluation stretch for the national program.
At a Glance
- Player: Akemi Higa, a Hawaiʻi-born quarterback from Hawaiʻi and Las Vegas.
- Team USA Pathway: Higa is competing in the U.S. women’s national flag football pipeline.
- Evaluation Camp: The women’s roster was being narrowed from 18 players to 12 for international competition.
- International Goal: The selected roster is expected to represent Team USA at the IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Los Angeles Tie-In: Team USA’s men’s and women’s teams were also scheduled to face Canada in Los Angeles as part of USA Football’s Rivalry Series.
- College Pathway: Higa is heading to Nevada State University to play flag football.
Why It Matters for Girls Flag Football
Higa’s story shows how quickly the top of girls and women’s flag football is getting younger. The HPR/AP report noted that the U.S. women’s camp included several players under 21, part of a broader youth movement as flag football grows nationally and moves toward its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
“It’s crazy just to see how much growth the sport has had.”
That line from Higa captures the bigger story. The pathway from local youth flag football to high school, college, Team USA, and eventually Olympic consideration is becoming easier for players and families to recognize.
The source report also pointed to the sport’s larger growth numbers. More than 68,800 girls played high school flag football in 2024, according to National Federation of State High School Associations survey data cited in the story, a 60% jump from the prior year.
For Southern California readers, the Los Angeles connection matters too. Team USA’s Rivalry Series games against Canada brought the national team pathway into the LA market, and LA28 keeps raising the stakes for players who are entering the sport now.
What to Watch Next
The immediate question is whether Higa earns one of the final roster spots for the U.S. women’s team. The longer-term question is how many young quarterbacks, receivers, and defenders from current youth and high school programs begin following a similar path.
Higa’s background also points to the growing importance of college flag football. Her next stop at Nevada State University is another reminder that players are no longer just chasing tournament medals; they are also looking at college programs, recruiting fits, and long-term development.
SoCal Flag will keep tracking Team USA, girls flag football, college programs, and the LA28 pathway as more young players move from youth fields into national-team conversations.