Bellarmine’s annual flag football tournament, the Turkey Bowl, is a long-standing tradition designed to unite the school community just before Thanksgiving break. However, despite its inclusive goals, the Turkey Bowl has historically been divided by gender, making it a primarily male-dominated event.
In previous years, ASB attempted to balance participation by requiring every team to include at least three female students. This year, ASB eliminated that rule, removing any requirement for female participation. As a result, there was a significant drop in female involvement in this year’s tournament.
Juniors Charlotte Lamb and Bea Navarro were the only two girls to compete, and both noted a shift in the tournament’s competitiveness and overall atmosphere. When asked how the rule change impacted the event, Lamb—who also competed her freshman year when the rule was still in place—said, “Boys didn’t pass to us. They were extremely aggressive during the Turkey Bowl.”
Navarro added, “I don’t know if a lot of people would sign up if that rule was still there, but it makes things a little more fair and appropriate. It’s hard being one of only two girls.”
Both Lamb and Navarro felt that, as girls, they were underestimated by the all-male teams and were not treated fairly. In response to the lack of female participation this past year, ASB introduced Powderpuff, a female-only flag football tournament.
Reactions to the new tournament have been largely positive. Lamb, along with many other female athletes, expressed excitement about the opportunity. “We shouldn’t exclude girls from the Turkey Bowl,” Lamb said, “but it’s nice that there’s something just for girls now. Before, it felt like it was only for boys.”
Powderpuff football dates back to 1945, when it began as a female-only game played in high schools across the United States during World War II. The name “Powderpuff” originated from the idea that female participants would “powder” their faces during halftime. While the name reflects outdated gender stereotypes, the tradition has evolved into an opportunity for female students to demonstrate school spirit and participate in a sport traditionally dominated by men.
In fact, girls’ flag football has recently made a historic transition in Washington state, moving from a club activity to an officially sanctioned WIAA varsity sport. The 2025–2026 season will mark its inaugural year as an official high school sport.
With all of this in mind, an important question remains: Does the outcome of this year’s Turkey Bowl point to a deeper issue within Bellarmine’s culture regarding how male and female sports are different?
Senior varsity softball player Lyla Hulse believes so. “Absolutely—100%,” she said. “Male sports get more attention and more funding.”
Whether the issue is fairness, recognition, or opportunity, Bellarmine’s decision to introduce Powderpuff represents a step toward greater inclusion for female athletes.
NOTE: Powderpuff did not occur this year because too few teams signed up for the April 18 competition.
