By Alice Pulliam

Staff Writer

    For many years, R.J. Reynolds High School has enjoyed raising funds through Powderpuff, a flag football event held in the spring where grade levels compete for a trophy and bragging rights. Because of the competition’s popularity, the possibility of creating a permanent RJR flag football team has emerged. A final decision has yet to be reached, and there are currently no clear guidelines as to when one will arrive. When bringing in a new sports team, there are lots of potential obstacles to be considered.

    RJR Athletic Director, Bradley Fisher, has been given minimal information on the likelihood of the new team. 

    “NCHSAA, which is our governing body, has tabled the idea of adding flag football as a sport because there has not been guidance from their governing body, which is The National Federation of High Schools,” Fisher said.

    Although the Powderpuff event occurs in the spring, there is no guarantee the potential new team would share the same timeline. No official guidelines have been put in place regarding the new team. Because of the lack of guidance, many schools, including RJR, have been hesitant to propose the addition of flag football. Another possible restraint is the current budget issues Forsyth County Schools face. Adding a new sports team means buying uniforms, gear, and appointing a coach. 

    “Right now, a lot of schools have a hard time making ends meet, so to add another sport makes it difficult,” Fisher said. 

    Money and lack of official guidelines are not the only concerns; who would play?

    “There are schools that have come out and said that they don’t intend on starting one because they’re having a hard time filling their girls’ sports already,” Fisher said.

    Some of the interested students are already committed to their seasonal sports and would be unable to join an additional team, while others are not interested in playing sports at all. Solving this means the flag football season would likely be short to allow athletes time for their main sports. 

    “It’s just like a three-to-four-week season. They’re in and out,” Fisher said. 

Another way to combat this would be to organize a club flag football team rather than an official school team. This would permit the team to hold practices and games on weekends to avoid conflict with school sports schedules and would promote a more student-led team.

    Adding a flag football team comes with challenges, as does adding any new sports team, but it also brings benefits. Junior powderpuff participant Libby Holden has expressed interest in the addition of the team. 

    “I would be for it, I would definitely join… I think it would be an interesting and exciting way to bring sports to Reynolds,” Holden said.

    The girls who play Powderpuff and love the sport would have an opportunity to pursue it, representing their school. In addition, another sport to cheer on at RJR would boost school spirit, encourage new competition, and entertain rivalry.