Women's Flag Football coming to several Wake high schools. Here's how it will work

Girls at 19 Wake County Public School System high schools will be able to try out soon for their schools' new girls flag football teams.

It's thanks to a $47,500 grant from the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have given out Women's Flag Football grants already this fall to Union County Public Schools and Cabarrus County Schools. Their first grant was the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in 2022.

Competitions will be held in tournament formats. Three tournaments will be held on three Saturdays this spring semester.

Tryouts and practices will begin in January.

The 19 participating high schools are Apex High, Athens Drive, Broughton, East Wake, Enloe, Fuquay-Varina, Green Level, Heritage, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Middle Creek, Millbrook, Panther Creek, Rolesville, Sanderson, South Garner, Southeast Raleigh, Wakefield and Willow Spring.

"Our hope is the success of the Wake County program will be a catalyst for the continued growth and participation by high schools across our region," Riley Fields, Panthers director of community relations, said in a school system news release Wednesday.

The grant will pay for game-related expenses and coaching stipends. The Panthers are providing each team with enough uniforms for 25 athletes and with practice equipment.

Flag football has growing popularity, and will become an Olympic sport in 2028.

That's good news for girls and women who are interested in the sport.

"This marks a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and providing additional opportunities for female athletes to showcase their skills on the field,” Crystal Massenburg, athletic director of South Garner High School, said in the news release.