The Nānākuli High and Intermediate School’s Athletics has recently introduced a new sport. For the first time in the school’s history, NHIS will have a Girl’s Flag Football team.
This moment marks a new chapter for female athletes at NHIS and around the state, as the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education has made high school Girls Flag Football an official sport.
“To me, I feel fairly excited. confident about our season. I want to win, but at the same time I want other girls to be able to show what they have,” said Junior Carlee Sausi-Callejo.
Starting a new sports program comes with some obstacles, and this journey to forming the team was no different. One of the biggest challenges was earning respect for the sport. “Being that it’s a new sport, it is not necessarily respected by other sports. Also, girls who haven’t played it before don’t think it is physically demanding,” said Head Coach Nick Asinsin.
The initial interest was overwhelming, with 60 girls attending the first meeting in November. However, as workouts began in December, numbers dropped to just ten players, showing the dedication required to be part of the team. “Some didn’t count the cost and haven’t made it back out,” said Asinsin.
On the field, the girls are learning the physical demands of the sport and building camaraderie amongst the team. “The most challenging part so far is our chemistry,” said Sausi-Callejo. “But every practice, we get closer and build that chemistry that we need to win.”
While the journey to building the team has had its challenges, the support from the school and community has been uplifting as many have come out to support the girls at their pre-season games. Senior Maesha Muuau said, “I feel like the community really comes out to show love for us.”
The team’s ultimate goal is to represent Nānākuli with pride and become the first-ever OIA and State champions. “Our strengths are the ladies of Nānākuli. Nobody is better than each one of them. They are built differently and ready for it all,” said Asinsin.
For many of the players, joining the team is about more than just playing a sport—it’s about paving the way for others ahead. “It feels great to be part of the girl’s flag football team because we’re making history,” said Senior Raniyah McCabe. “We’re leading the future generation of girls.”
Sausi-Callejo added, “I’ve been playing this sport since I was four years old and today, tomorrow, from here on out, there’s gonna be a sport that I can play, a sport that I love. The sport that I can help in for other girls that wanna pursue their career in flag football.”
Their first regular season game is on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, against Waianae High School at Waianae at 7:30 pm.
