Cumberland County Schools administrators are exploring a plan to add women’s flag football and men’s volleyball to the high school athletics lineup in 2027.
District officials shared the update during the Cumberland County Board of Education’s curriculum committee meeting in late May. They outlined early implementation plans tied to newly sanctioned sports recognized by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).
According to presentation documents, district leaders could create plans during the upcoming school year and launch both sports during the 2027-28 school year.
“The addition of women’s flag football in the fall and men’s volleyball in the spring would expand opportunities to students who may not currently participate in athletics,” said Chad Barbour, student activities director for Cumberland County Schools.
Barbour said both sports are gaining momentum statewide as more schools offer them through the NCHSAA. District officials pointed to women’s flag football as a particularly promising opportunity for female student-athletes, describing it as one of the fastest-growing sports nationally.
Barbour said the sport aligns with Title IX participation goals while opening scholarship opportunities for girls who do not currently participate in fall athletics.
Board member Mary Hales asked district leaders whether local business partnerships could help offset costs.
Barbour said the district is already exploring outside support opportunities.
“I spoke with the Carolina Panthers and they are supporting any school that starts this year with $2,500,” Barbour said, adding that additional need-based grants are expected to remain available in future years.
Lower Startup Costs
District leaders also emphasized the relatively low cost of launching both ports compared to previous athletic expansions.
In June 2024, the school board approved adding lacrosse. Although the sport was already recognized by the NCHSAA, it operated locally as a club sport for years.
According to district records, lacrosse was first introduced locally at Jack Britt High School in 2017 before expanding to Cape Fear, Gray’s Creek and Terry Sanford high schools over the next seven years.
During the lacrosse approval process, presentation documents estimated that expanding the sport across Cumberland County high schools could require roughly $386,300 in equipment purchases, along with an additional $16,940 in coaching supplements if every school fielded boys and girls teams.
By comparison, women’s flag football would cost schools about $400 for footballs, $400 for flag belts, $50 for mouth guards and about $2,500 per uniform set, documents show. The district would cover a $770 coaching supplement.
For men’s volleyball, schools would be responsible for $3,000 for uniforms and $750 for equipment, while the district would pay a $770 coaching supplement.
‘Listen and Learn’
Board member Greg West said school gymnasiums are largely unused during the spring season, making men’s volleyball a practical addition.
West acknowledged that adding new sports could affect participation in some existing programs but said expanding athletic options ultimately benefits more students.
“These will create opportunities for other students too, so it’s really a trade off,” West said.
District officials said the proposed expansion could also support academic performance and student retention. Athletics can serve as a deterrent to dropping out of school, they said.
But administrators acknowledged several logistical hurdles ahead, including finding qualified coaches, securing practice space for women’s flag football, and preventing additional strain on heavily used athletic fields.
Barbour said district leaders plan to take a slower approach than they did with lacrosse while waiting for the NCHSAA to finalize operating guidelines for both newly sanctioned sports.
“Sanction is going to give us a roadmap of how we are going to operate, so we are going to sit back, listen and learn and develop our plan,” Barbour said.
