A 12-year-old girl from Locust Grove, Georgia, Maddy Paige had been the starting quarterback for her sixth grade football team at Strong Rock Christian School until last week, when the school informed her that she wouldn't be allowed to play next year, according to USA Today.
"Middle school girls play girls' sports and middle school boys play boys' sports," Patrick Stuart, the CEO of the school, wrote in a policy that he implemented.
"[Stuart] told me students are coming of age and the boys will have impure thoughts and urges and they have the locker room talk and it's not appropriate for girls to hear," Cassy Blythe, Paige's mother, told USA Today Sports. "Then he said he prayed about it and he really feels there's not supposed to be mixing of the genders.
"They need to be kept separate," Blythe recounted Stuart telling her.
When Paige joined the football team, the head coach, Jimmy Higginbotham, welcomed her with open arms and made it clear before the first practice that he would treat her the same as everyone else on the team.
Blythe was initially hesitant to let her daughter play football, but after a few practices, she would return to the car with a big smile.
"I'd ask her, 'What are you doing hitting people out there?'" Blythe said. "And she said, 'Because I'm a defensive tackle!'
"I looked at the coach and was like, 'Are you serious?'" Blythe continued. "And he said, 'Girl can hit.'"
Paige recorded four sacks last year and said her best friends are on the team. She will miss the camaraderie that comes with playing the team sport.
"It's really sad knowing I won't be able to have as much fun as I did last year," Paige said.
"The Strong Rock Christian School leadership and administration fully stand behind the school's policy," the school administration said in a written statement. "We believe this policy promotes a safe and fair environment for athletic competition and is in the best interest of all Strong Rock students and families.
"Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our school," the statement continued. The school has declined any further comment.
Blythe plans to start looking at other educational options for her daughter. She could stay at the school and play on a recreational team or has the option of transferring to another school that will let her play football.
Currently, Paige and her mother are running a Facebook campaign called "Let Her Play" in support of female athletes and gender equality.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
