Women's Football Alliance
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Current season, competition or edition: | |
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| Sport | American Football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Inaugural season | 2009 |
| No. of teams | 47 active for 2021 season |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Division I – Boston Renegades Division II – St. Louis Slam Division III – |
| Most titles | St. Louis Slam (4) & Boston Militia/Renegades (6) |
The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is a professional full-contact Women's American football tackle league that began play in 2009. It is the largest 11-on-11 football league for women. The league is owned and operated by Jeff and Lisa King of Exeter, California.
League history[]
 | This section needs to be updated. (July 2019) |
The Women's Football Alliance was established in 2009 and began its inaugural season with 36 teams. Many of the teams were already established teams from other leagues such as Women's Professional Football League, Independent Women's Football League and National Women's Football Association, while others began their inaugural season of play in the WFA.
2009[]
The first season of play ended with a championship game, which was played in the rebuilding (post-Katrina) city of New Orleans, Louisiana and was hosted by the New Orleans Blaze. The game was between the St. Louis Slam (American Conference – St. Louis, MO) and the West Michigan Mayhem (National Conference – Kalamazoo, MI). The game came down to the last few plays and the St. Louis Slam became the first National Champions in the WFA with a final score of 21–14. Additionally, there was an International Game played between the upstart Aguilas Regias of Monterrey, Mexico and the hosting team, New Orleans Blaze. The Blaze won this game 12–0.
2010[]
The WFA grew in the second year (2010) to have over 40 teams competing for the national championship. The national championship for the 2010 season was accompanied by the first All-American game. The term All-American is used by the WFA to represent the best players at all positions from all WFA teams. The teams were chosen partly based on statistics and partly based on the vote of head coaches. The All-American game was played just before the championship game in Las Vegas, Nevada and was hosted by the Las Vegas Showgirlz. The All-American game was won by the American Conference. The second championship in the WFA would again come down to the last few plays and have a score differential of only four points. The Lone Star Mustangs (American Conference – Dallas/Fort Worth) defeated the Columbus Comets (National Conference – Columbus, Ohio) to become the second National Champions of the WFA by a score of 16–12.
2011[]
As the Women's Football Alliance prepared for the 2011 season, they were scheduled to have over 60 teams playing across the United States. They again grew due in part to new teams starting and in part due to established teams moving in from other leagues, most notably the New York Sharks,[1] D.C. Divas,[2] Chicago Force,[3] Dallas Diamonds, and Kansas City Tribe.[4] In the 2011 WFA championship, which was held in Bedford, Texas, the Boston Militia defeated the San Diego Surge 34–19 to claim the title.
2012[]
The WFA opened the season with 60 teams. The 2012 WFA National Championship game took place at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home stadium of the NFL franchise Pittsburgh Steelers; it was the first women's football championship game to be played in an NFL stadium.[5] After losing the title game in the previous season, the San Diego Surge returned to win the 2012 championship 40–36 over the Chicago Force.
2013[]
The WFA opened the season with 50 teams. Running back Whitney Zelee (Boston Militia) made headlines in 2013 by becoming the league's first player to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a football season, setting a league record of 2,128 yards.[6] After losing the title game in the previous season, the Chicago Force returned to win the 2013 championship over the Dallas Diamonds 81–34 at Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California.
2014[]
The WFA opened the season with 42 teams. The preseason was capped by the inaugural WFA International Bowl, in which the Mexican All-Stars defeated the Austin Outlaws in exhibition. The Boston Militia became the league's first two-time champion in 2014, winning 69–34 in a title rematch with the San Diego Surge at Lane Tech Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. During championship weekend, the league introduced a new mid-major bowl game: the Alliance Bowl. The Seattle Majestics of the American Conference faced the Indy Crash of the National Conference in a contest to "showcase of the depth of quality teams that exist in the Women's Football Alliance."[7] The Indy Crash prevailed 26–12. This season was also notable for the introduction of Kenneth Massey Ratings into the league's playoffs system.
2015[]
The WFA opened the season with 40 teams, the fewest since the league was first established in 2009. The preseason concluded with the second WFA International Bowl Game Series, in which the Mexican All-Stars went 1–1, defeating the Tacoma Trauma before falling to the Seattle Majestics. The D.C. Divas defeated the Dallas Elite 30–26 in the WFA National Championship game at Los Angeles (Calif.) Southwest College Stadium. The Central Cal War Angels beat the Atlanta Phoenix 28–8 in the Alliance Bowl.
2016[]
The WFA opened the season with 43 teams. Allison Cahill of the Boston Renegades reached a new milestone in sports by becoming the first quarterback to attain 100 victories playing exclusively in women's football leagues.[8] WFA executives launched a new, tiered league structure consisting of three divisions, similar to that of NCAA Football. They also announced the W Bowl as their new brand for the WFA National Championship game. With a 28–26 victory over the Dallas Elite, the D.C. Divas won the inaugural W Bowl and their second national championship in as many years. The St. Louis Slam downed the Tampa Bay Inferno 38–7 to claim the Division II championship. The Acadiana Zydeco defeated the Richmond Black Widows 20–18 in the Division III title game. All three games were played at Joe P. Michaela Stadium in Imperial, Pa.
2020[]
The 2020 season of the Women's Football Alliance was cancelled in its entirety due to health and safety concerns in regards to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.[9] Although regular season games were scheduled, none were played.
The WFA signed deals with Eleven Sports/FTF Next Sports Network to broadcast ten 'WFA Game of the Week' events[10] and eight games from the 2019 season[11] on its cable network, streaming channels and website. They also established partnerships with Secret, Xenith, Wilson, Glazier Clinics, and Florida State University Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching.
The WFA established the Women's Football Coaching Alliance (WFCA), and the 'WFA Gives Campaign'. The league also witnessed the release of two feature films focused on its players, "Born To Play," directed by Viridiana Lieberman, and "Open Field," directed by Kathy Kuras. "Born To Play" aired nationally on ESPN and internationally on ABC to widespread critical acclaim.[12]
2021[]
In February, the WFA announced a five-year agreement with the Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company for the league's championship games to be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. The league resumed play after a 2020 season lost to global pandemic. Scheduling challenges and safety concerns necessitated a delayed start (May instead of April) and a shortened season (6 regular season games instead of 8). The 2021 season opened with 48 teams. The Boston Renegades collected their third consecutive league title with a 42–26 victory over the Minnesota Vixen. The defeated the Detroit Dark Angels 42–18 to win the Division 2 title. The Derby City Dynamite claimed the Division 3 crown with a 30–20 victory over the . All three championship games and the 2021 All-American game were broadcast on Next Level Sports and FTF Next.
WFA Teams[]
2021 Season Teams[]
American (Western) Conference--35 Teams[]
| Team | Location | Home Field |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Outkast (div III) | Phoenix, Arizona | Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona |
| Arlington Impact (div I) | Arlington, Texas | Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas |
| Austin Outlaws (div II) | Austin, Texas | Chaparral Stadium at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas |
| Cali War (div I) | Torrance, California | Zamperini Stadium at Torrance High School in Torrance, California |
| Capital Pioneers (div III) | Salem, Oregon | Stayton High School in Stayton, Oregon |
| Dallas Elite Mustangs (div I) | Dallas, Texas | Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions Stadium in Plano, Texas |
| Gulf Coast Monarchy (div III) | Biloxi, Mississippi | St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi |
| Houston Energy (div II) | Houston, Texas | Krenshaw Memorial Stadium in Houston, Texas |
| Houston Power (div III) | Houston, Texas | Husky Stadium at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas |
| Huntsville Tigers (div III) | Huntsville, Alabama | Discovery Middle School in Madison, AL |
| Inland Empire Desert Eagles (div III) | Palm Springs, California | Ronnie Lott Football Stadium at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California |
| Iowa Phoenix (div III) | Des Moines, Iowa | Saydel High School in Des Moines, Iowa |
| Kansas City Saints (div III) | Kansas City, Missouri | |
| Kern County Crusaders (div III) | Bakersfield, California | Bakersfield West High School |
| Louisiana Bayou Storm Surge (div III) | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | BREC Memorial Stadium |
| Memphis Sabercats (div III) | Memphis, Tennessee | Arthur Halle Stadium |
| Midwest Mountain Lions (div II) | Kenosha/Racine, Wisconsin | |
| Mile High Blaze (div II) | Denver, Colorado | 5 Star Stadium at Thornton Middle School in Thornton, Colorado |
| Minnesota Vixen (div I) | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Kuhlman Stadium in Edina & Tiger Stadium in Farmington |
| Mississippi Royalty (div III) | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
| New Orleans Hurricanes (div III) | New Orleans, Louisiana | Victory Stadium |
| Nevada Storm (div II) | Reno, Nevada | Damonte Ranch High School Fernley High School Galena High School |
| Oklahoma City Force (div III) | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | |
| Portland Shockwave (div II) | Portland, Oregon | Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon |
| Rio Grande Heat (div III) | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Capital High in Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz (div III) | Colorado Springs, Colorado | The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Sacramento Sirens (div II) | Sacramento, California | |
| St. Louis Slam (div I) | Saint Louis, Missouri | St. Mary's High School in St. Louis, Missouri |
| Seattle Spartans (div II) | Seattle, Washington | Frank Goddard Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington |
| Sin City Trojans (div II) | Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Sioux Falls Snow Leopards (div III) | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | |
| Southern Oregon Lady Gades (div III) | Medford, Oregon | |
| Sun City Stealth (div III) | El Paso, Texas | |
| Tulsa Threat (div II) | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Lafortune Stadium at Memorial High School in Tulsa, OK |
| Zydeco Spice (div III) | Lafayette, Louisiana | Lafayette Christian Academy in Lafayette, LA |
National (Eastern) Conference--28 Teams[]
| Team | Location | Home Field |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Nighthawks (div II) | Baltimore, Maryland | Woodlawn High School in Gwynn Oak, Maryland |
| Boston Renegades (div I) | Boston, Massachusetts | Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, Massachusetts |
| Capital City Savages (div III) | Lansing, Michigan | Perry High School in Perry, Michigan |
| Carolina Phoenix (div III) | High Point, North Carolina | Northeast Guilford High School |
| Cincinnati Sizzle (div III) | Cincinnati, Ohio | Hamilton, Princeton, Walnut Hills & Woodward Career Technical High Schools |
| Cleveland Fusion (div II) | Cleveland, Ohio | Maple Heights High School in Maple Heights, Ohio |
| Columbus Comets (div II) | Columbus, Ohio | Grove City, Ohio Christian School |
| Columbus Vanguards (div III) | Columbus, Indiana | PAAL Football Fields in Walesboro |
| (Western) Connecticut Hawks (div III) | Fairfield, Connecticut | John Perry & Stephen A. Kaplanis Memorial Fields in Danbury, Connecticut |
| D.C. Divas (div I) | Washington, D.C. | The St. James in Springfield, Virginia |
| Daytona Waverunners (div III) | Daytona, Florida | Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Derby City Dynamite (div III) | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Holy Cross High School in Shively, Kentucky |
| Detroit Dark Angels (div II) | Detroit, Michigan | The Hawk Community Center, Farmington Hills, Michigan |
| Grand Rapids Tidal Waves (div III) | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Jacksonville Dixie Blues (div II) | Jacksonville, Florida | Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida |
| Knoxville Lightning (div III) | Knoxville, Tennessee | Christian Academy of Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Maine Mayhem (div III) | Portland, Maine | Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine |
| Miami Fury (div II) | Miami, Florida | Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, Florida |
| Music City Mizfits (div III) | Nashville, Tennessee | Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee |
| Northeast Ruckus (div III) | Nashua, New Hampshire | Nashua North High School, New Hampshire |
| New York Knockout (div III) | Albany, New York | Schenectady High School in Schenectady, New York |
| New York Wolves (div II) | New York City, New York | Aviator Sports & Events Center in Brooklyn, NY |
| (div III) | Ontario, Canada | |
| Orlando Anarchy (div II) | Orlando, Florida | Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida |
| Pittsburgh Passion (div I) | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Joe P. DeMichela Stadium in Imperial, Pennsylvania |
| Richmond Black Widows (div III) | Richmond, Virginia | Hermitage High School in Richmond, Virginia |
| Tampa Bay Inferno (div I) | Tampa, Florida | |
| Toledo, Ohio | Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio | |
| Utica Hellcats (div III) | Utica, New York | high school in Utica New York |
Expansion 2022 and inactive teams[]
| Team | City | Home Field |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Scorpions | Columbia, South Carolina | |
| First State Lioness | Dover, Delaware | |
| Waco Mad Bears | Waco, Texas | |
| Northeast Ruckus | Nashua, New Hampshire |
WFA Division I Championship Game results[]
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Slam | West Michigan Mayhem | 21–14 | |
| Lone Star Mustangs | Columbus Comets | 16–12 | |
| 2011 | Boston Militia | San Diego Surge | 34–19 |
| 2012 | San Diego Surge | Chicago Force | 40–36 |
| 2013 | Chicago Force | Dallas Diamonds | 81–34 |
| Boston Militia | San Diego Surge | 69–34 | |
| D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 30–26 | |
| D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 28-26 | |
| Dallas Elite | Boston Renegades | 31-21 | |
| Boston Renegades | 42-18 | ||
| Boston Renegades | 52-24 | ||
| No Game Played Due to COVID | No Game Played Due to COVID | xxxx | |
| Boston Renegades | Minnesota Vixen | 42-26 |
WFA Division II Championship Game results[]
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 38–7 | |
| St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 42-15 | |
| New York Sharks | Minnesota Vixen | 27-21 | |
| St. Louis Slam | Detroit Dark Angels | 34-0 | |
| xxxx | |||
| Detroit Dark Angels | 42-18 |
WFA Division III Championship Game results[]
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadiana Zydeco | Richmond Black Widows | 20–18 | |
| Arkansas Wildcats | Orlando Anarchy | 42-26 | |
| Orlando Anarchy | Arkansas Wildcats | 46-0 | |
| Orlando Anarchy | 62-45 | ||
| xxxx | |||
| Derby City Dynamite | 30-20 |
Alliance Bowl results[]
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indy Crash | Seattle Majestics | 26–12 | |
| Central Cal War Angels | Atlanta Phoenix | 28–8 |
Alliance Bowl Midwest Region results[]
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Power | Acadiana Zydeco | 18–6 |
See also[]
- List of leagues of American football
- List of female American football players
References[]
- ^ Exit, Merle (2011-01-07). "New York Sharks Women Tackle the Football World". Alternet. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ "Bipartisan tax relief measures proposed in Maryland". Gazette.net. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ "Chicago Force begin try outs, ladies are you ready to play some football? - Call Of The Wild". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2010-08-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Heinz Field To Host SilverSport Women's Football Alliance National Championship". Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ Staffieri, Mark. "Whitney Zelee Emerging as the Finest Running Back in All of Women's Football". Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "2014 WFA National Championship Weekend" (Press Release). wfafootball.net. Women's Football Alliance. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ "Cahill Notches 100th Career Victory" (Press Release). bostonrenegadesfootball.com. Boston Renegades Women's Football. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
- ^ "WFA ends pursuit of 2020 championship season". wfaprofootball.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "WFA signs television network deal". wfaprofootball.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "2019 Championship on National Television". wfaprofootball.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "'Born To Play' Garners National Media Attention and Widespread Critical Acclaim". bostonrenegadesfootball.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
External links[]
- Women's Football Alliance
- Sports leagues established in 2008
- Professional sports leagues in the United States
- Women's American football leagues
- 2008 establishments in the United States