ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Colorado became the 11th state in the U.S. to sanction girls flag football as a high school sport this week, thanks to an assist from the Denver Broncos.

The Colorado High School Activities Association’s legislative council approved the fall sport following a three-year pilot program supported by the team and its foundation.

Team owner Carrie Walton Penner said Wednesday that with the sport’s approval, “more young women will be able to participate in a game they love. More young women will join teams and create relationships that last a lifetime.”

“To all you trailblazing athletes who helped launch this sport: You have not only found your community — you have built one.”

Walton Penner said a majority of the 1,500 girls who took part in the pilot program wouldn’t have participated in a fall sport were it not for flag football.