Philly Leader

Chris Donnelly, the head coach of Academy at Palumbo's Girls Flag Football team, has been recognized as the Eagles' first-ever Girls Flag Football High School Coach of the Week. Donnelly's journey with football started in childhood gym classes and continued with watching the Eagles play. She played for teams such as the Philadelphia Liberty Belles and Philadelphia Phoenix and then served as a tackle football referee for 11 years. In 2013, she began conducting clinics for girls, contributing to the growing interest in the sport.

In 2022, the Eagles inaugurated their Girls Flag Football League, collaborating with partners such as Gatorade, The Bellwether District, and Planet Fitness, with Palumbo among the 16 original teams. Donnelly emphasized the self-propelling nature of the league, saying, "The game itself is a draw, and I just use my mouth to get it out there that it's an opportunity for them. The girls kind of do the rest themselves."

The league now includes over 90 Pennsylvania teams and more than 30 from South Jersey. In 2024, the sport gained state-sanctioned recognition in Pennsylvania. Last year, Palumbo's team, guided by Donnelly, went undefeated in the Philadelphia Public League, capturing the championship.

Donnelly stressed teamwork and personal growth over individual play. She remarked, "I think they have learned what happens when you work together as a team. Football is not a sport of individuals and if you play like that, you're not going to be as successful."

This year, Donnelly's Palumbo team, also coached by her in basketball, started strong, with a 4-0 record after defeated Audenried. The team adheres to the motto "All in, all out," which Donnelly explained as a reminder to invest everything into the game, saying, "It's to remind us all that we need to be a team and you're going to put it all out there."

Donnelly also works to foster connections within the Delaware Valley and sees the potential growth of flag football at the collegiate level. "The idea that our girls can go to college on a scholarship to play flag football is mind-blowing to me," she said, highlighting her mission to prepare players for future opportunities.

She acknowledged the roles of the school district and the Philadelphia Eagles in supporting the sport, asserting, "I really think it's a testament to the girls putting their all into it. The support of the school district, the support of the Philadelphia Eagles, I think that's all a huge part of it. It's an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to see where it goes."