January 10, 2015
Thirteen-year-old Caroline Pla of Doylestown was noticed on a national level two years ago when she fought to allow girls to play football in Philadelphia's Catholic Youth Organization league.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput eventually agreed on a provisional basis, but it appears that the provision has expired, according to Philly.com. Pla is now requesting that the archdiocese reconsider its ban on girls playing in the league.
Currently, co-ed participation is not allowed in CYO leagues, as per a decision by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference's Education Department in July, Philly.com reports.
According to a memo announcement, the decision was made as a precaution against "potentially immodest physical contact."
But Pla was permitted to participate during the 2014 season, starting along the offensive line with the Doylestown Romans, who won their second consecutive league championship.
Since CYO runs only through the eighth grade, it was Pla's last season. Even so, she wants to make sure that future girls have the same opportunities that she did.
Archbishop spokesperson Kenneth Gavin told NBC10 aside from Pla, no girl has played or even asked to play CYO football in the last two years.
And watch Pla's appearance on Ellen below:
