Fuquay Varina High School’s athletics have always been a focal point of the community, as this small town continues to grow. With that being said, in the mix of all of this is the brand new women’s flag football team.
Wake County is one of the few counties in the state of North Carolina that is piloting a women’s flag football team at the high school level. For women’s flag football to be an official sport, the North Carolina High School Athletics Association has to have at least 25 percent of the state’s high schools to participate for it to become an official high school sport in the state of North Carolina.
The coaches for the team are two of Fuquay’s very own mens football coaches, head coach Jeb Hall and linebackers coach Eric Pulling, along with our new health and PE teacher Connie Barnes.
As a new coach with a great supporting cast, Barnes fit in right at home at Fuquay Varina High School.
“Growing the interest with females and football is fun. Growing the game and getting girls who don’t normally play sports out and doing this is really nice,” said Barnes.
Echoing a similar sentiment as a longtime avid fan, player and coach, Pulling is excited to help grow the game of football in the young women’s community of Fuquay.
“I’m looking forward to the girls being successful and having fun with this whole experience playing the sport of football. I love the game and I want everyone to enjoy the sport. I want everyone to have fun doing this, but also the girls get to not just play the sport but go to other locations and play against other schools in the area,” said Pulling.
Along with the coaches having a great time with this, so are the players. Sophomore wide receiver Amina Kaissi is really enjoying the time playing this sport as it’s finally offered to girls like her.
“It’s influential to girls who were told you can’t play football because it’s a male sport. But flag football has not only allowed girls to play football but also learn about the game,” said Kaissi.
Sophomore Kaylin Hall agrees with Kaissi but also loves the friends she has made thus far.
“I get to not just play flag football, but I get to do it with my friends and we all have fun doing it,” said Hall
Womens flag football looks to make an impact on not just schools in the local area but all across the country. It’s a chance for girls to play a sport that traditionally has been gender based. This is the first step in tearing down walls for the young women of tomorrow to have a more inclusive day.
