Girl Power Carolinas Brings All-Girls NFL FLAG Football to Fort Mill

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Submitted by Logan Sandate -- Girls across Fort Mill now have a flag football league of their own! Girl Power Carolinas, an official NFL FLAG program, gives young athletes the chance to play America’s favorite sport in a welcoming all-girls environment with no prior experience required.

“Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports for girls in the country, and we wanted Fort Mill families to have access to it,” says league director Logan Sandate. “Our goal is to create a place where girls can compete, learn skills, and build confidence on and off the field.”

Backed by the National Football League, NFL FLAG provides a safe non-contact version of the game, and Girl Power Carolinas brings that structure to the local level with divisions offered for grades K–12. Volunteer coaches follow NFL FLAG safety standards while teaching teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship, and parents appreciate that the sport requires minimal equipment. Jerseys and flags are provided to every athlete; families only need to supply a mouthguard and cleats.

Fort Mill’s strong sports culture and family-centered community make it a natural home for the league. Practices and games are held on Sundays at Springfield Elementary. Sandate launched his first season in Mooresville, North Carolina, with 80 girls and recalls, “I have loved seeing the parents, especially the dads, so excited and passionate about their daughters playing football—and the smiles on their faces.”

Beyond touchdowns and highlight reels, the program emphasizes life skills that reach far beyond the field. Players develop leadership, communication, and resilience—traits that carry into classrooms and future careers. “You can see them discovering their voices more and more each week,” says Sandate. Parents notice the difference too. “My daughter never thought of herself as an athlete,” says one Mooresville mom. “Now she cannot wait for Sunday, and she is more self-assured in sports.”

Community partnerships also drive the league’s success. Local smoothie shops, orthodontists, and physical-therapy clinics have already stepped up as sponsors in Mooresville, helping keep registration fees affordable while gaining recognition on game days, social media, and the league website. Girl Power Carolinas welcomes additional business partners who want to support youth sports and raise visibility for girls, especially in Fort Mill.

Registration is now open for the upcoming winter season. Girls in grades K–12 can join a seven-week schedule of Sunday games at Springfield Elementary. The $189 fee—available through October 5—includes an official NFL FLAG jersey and flag set. Early sign-ups guarantee preferred jersey sizes and a spot on the roster. Families can register online at GirlPowerCarolinas.com.

As girls’ flag football earns statewide recognition as a varsity sport and continues to gain national attention, Girl Power Carolinas plans to expand with more divisions, travel teams, and off-season skills clinics. “We are building more than a league,” Sandate says. “We are building a movement.”

Come see why so many Fort Mill families are embracing the fastest-growing sport for girls. For details or to register, visit GirlPowerCarolinas.com or follow @GirlPowerCarolinas on Instagram and Facebook.