From a once-a-year Powderpuff fundraiser to a sanctioned sports team competing with schools across the state, women’s flag football has hit Millbrook. Powderpuff football previously made its long-awaited return this year back in October, putting an end to the 4-year hiatus since the 2019-2020 school year. It was a massive success raising over $3,500 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and bringing over 400 students and staff together for a late Wednesday night charity event.

   Now with the help of Millbrook’s wide receiver coach Derrick Walker, Carolina United Flag Football, and the Carolina Panthers, Millbrook and other surrounding schools across the area offer women’s flag football as an official school sport. According to WRAL News, “It’s thanks to a $47,500 grant from the Carolina Panthers…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.”

  Flag football’s popularity has been surging as of late, especially with women. Over 474,000 girls between the ages of 6 and 17 played some sort of flag football last year, a huge 63 percent increase from 2019. Wake County Public Schools and the Carolina Panthers’ new pilot program was created to give girls the opportunity to get involved with the growing, once male-dominated sport. Millbrook’s center, junior Stella Brewer, was very enthusiastic when the opportunity of playing women’s flag football was proposed: “I played in the return of Powderpuff and had a great time. It was new and interesting.” she exclaimed.

   “The team’s relationship is great, it’s committed to hard work and shared victory,” Brewer said. 

  The Wildcats are ranked no. 8 in the state, headed to the championship tournament this weekend. With their confidence, Coach Walker and the girls want to make a statement run and win it all!