Most intramural games pit boys and girls against each other, however, the annual powderpuff tournament gives girls a chance to play against each other in a game of flag football.
Irwin Ah Hoy, a coordinator of Seasider Sports & Activities, said during the Winter 2022 Semester, four girls began playing flag football for intramurals but got intimidated by the male players and stopped. As a result, he said his committee planned an event specifically for women and designed it to be inclusive to both domestic and international students.
On March 23, 10 teams, consisting of only female players, gathered at BYU–Hawaii's Turf Field to compete against each other. The different teams were named; Title IX, Sexy in Sneakers, Game of Throws, Trophy Wives, $hawty, Brady Ladies, The Salsa Sisters, The Cowgirls, Shaka Mahalos and Fakahhhs.
The field was divided in half to permit two sets of two teams to play at once. Each of the teams competed in four rounds, fighting for a spot in the championship bracket.
What is powderpuff?
Naomi Lucas, a senior majoring in communications from California, said she was the promotion supervisor for the event. She explained the same rules for football apply to the powderpuff tournament.
The object of the game is to pass the ball to other team members while running into the end zone area of the field, Lucas shared. She said if the football touches the ground, it causes the game to pause.
Lucas said at her high school, powderpuff football games were a rite of passage for seniors and juniors. She said it gave high school seniors an opportunity to prove their dominance and superiority. Usually, a powderpuff event is held before a dance or spirit week to help promote an event, she added.
Lucas said at BYUH, powderpuff tournaments are single-day events held once a year. At the end of the tournament, she added, the winner of the championship round is announced.
A game for girls
Jade Gandolph, a junior psychology major from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, said the powderpuff games help girls feel more comfortable with playing football without feeling timid or worried about playing with guys. Gandolph said she was a member of the “$hawt” team.
Camilla Garrido, a junior psychology major from Chile, said she came to the event to support her friend, Seini Ieremia. She said it is exciting for girls to play and not worry about playing against male players.
Garrido shared she wished the school incorporated these types of events more often. “If we had more opportunities for all girl things, I think we’d have a big attendance. … It would be a good recurring activity.” Ieremia was a member of the “Fakahhhs” team.
Ieremia, a sophomore graphic design major from Highlands, Utah, said she played rugby in high school and enjoys playing these "tough girl" games. The event is a great follow-up to Culture Night because it unites everyone, both boys and girls, added Ieremia. She said most intramurals consist of mostly male players, and it was nice to dedicate that time for the girls to play and showcase their talent.
Nichole Whiteley, a junior communications major from Provo, Utah, said she enjoyed building friendships and being a part of a team. She said it can be hard to develop friendships while playing intramurals versus at actual sporting events. Whiteley was a member of the “Trophy Wives” team.
Teams Fakahhs and Title IX competed in the championship round. The former won the game 28-20. Both teams celebrated the victory and the success of the event.
Brandyn Akana, head of Seasider Sports & Activities, said these activities give females more confidence in playing and enjoying an often male-dominant sport. “A lot of females love doing that … so, we want to create that opportunity for them.” The event allows them to highlight female student athletes, he added. He said 180 students attended the event.