Women’s flag football is coming to Wake high schools. Thank the Carolina Panthers.

Women’s flag football is coming to 19 Wake County high schools courtesy of a grant from the Carolina Panthers.

The Wake County school board accepted the $47,500 grant on Tuesday from Carolina Panthers Charities to start the flag football pilot program. It’s being billed as a way to provide more athletic opportunities for female students.

“This grant will give hundreds of female students a fun and unique opportunity to reap the many benefits of participating in athletics,” Deran Coe, Wake’s director of athletics, said in a news release. “Athletics promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, all of which can lead to better outcomes for students in high school and beyond.

“We are grateful to Carolina Panthers Charities for their generosity, and we look forward to partnering with them to encourage students to join the fun of flag football.”

Tryouts and practices will be held in January. The pilot year will consist of three Saturday tournament-style competitions.

The grant will cover game officials, coaching stipends, field prep and other game-related expenses.

The Panthers are also providing each high school with 25 sets of custom-made Nike uniforms plus practice equipment.

Panthers fund flag football across NC

In 2022, the Carolina Panthers partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to launch North Carolina’ first-ever girls high school flag football program. The program has been so popular that CMS expanded the program into middle schools this year, The Charlotte Observer reported.

This fall, the Panthers helped launch pilot flag football programs with Cabarrus County Schools and Union County Public Schools.

“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 the news release. “We are excited for all the Wake County student-athletes who will have the opportunity to compete for their schools and benefit from the program.”

Flag football is growing in popularity. It’s been added as a sport for the 2028 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Providing gender equity in sports

School districts across the country have come under scrutiny over whether they’re providing girls with enough athletic opportunities.

In 2010, the National Women’s Law Center filed a complaint against Wake and 11 other school systems accusing them of violating Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. In a June 2012 settlement, Wake agreed to add more athletic opportunities at high schools for female students.

In response, Wake added women’s sports such as stunt, which incorporates some aspects of competitive cheering and some from gymnastics.

Flag football is expected to also draw interest among female students.

“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 a news release.

“Recognizing the growing popularity of flag football and the increasing demand for more inclusive sports offerings, South Garner Athletics is proud to be a part of this initiative, aiming to empower and inspire young women in this community and all across Wake County to embrace the sport.”