Polish American Football League

Polish American Football League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2016 PLFA season
Sport American football
Founded October 2006
Founder PZFA
Inaugural season 2006
CEO Przemysław Kazaniecki
No. of teams 13
Country  Poland
Most recent
champion(s)		 Panthers Wrocław (2nd title)
Most titles Giants Wrocław (3 titles)
Official website plfa.pl

The Polish American Football League or shortly PLFA (Polish: Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego) is a structured system for the American football competitions in Poland founded in 2006 by the Polish federation PZFA. In 2012, the Topliga was created as a major league with a bid (invitation) rule. The remaining teams are divided into two leagues (PLFA I and PLFA II) between which there is promotion and relegation. There are two eight-man football competitions: PLFA 8 for reserve teams and smaller clubs, and PLFA J for under-17 players.

The top four teams from the Topliga regular season enter the playoffs and the winners meet in the championship game called the SuperFinał (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl). The PLFA I championship game is called the PLFA Cup Game.

In the 2013 season there were 74 teams in 5 leagues. 57 teams played 11-man football (8 teams in the Topliga, 8 teams in the PLFA I and 21 teams in the PLFA II) and other 37 teams played 8-man football competitions: 20 senior teams and 17 junior teams). The TopLiga and PLFA I are divided into two divisions, PLFA II into three divisions, and PLFA 8 and PLFAJ into five divisions based on geographical reasons.

After the 2017 season, there was a split in Polish American football, 20 clubs left the PLFA and founded a new league, the Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly LFA.

History

2012 SuperFinal in National Stadium in front of 23,000 viewers.

American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland, which appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was established in Warsaw. The Polish American Football Association (Polish: Polski Związek Futbolu Amerykańskiego or PZFA) was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland.

The first game between Polish teams (still without professional equipment) was played in December 2005 in Poznań. The first international game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in a game played in Warsaw. From that moment on, teams began to be established in different parts of the country.

The Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008, the league split into two divisions - PLFA I (8 teams) and PLFA II (9 teams). There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for the 2010 season. 2011- 34 teams, 2012- 42 teams, and 2013- 74 teams.

Season structure

The regular season in the Topliga starts in March/April and ends in June/July. Each team plays nine games competing against every other team in the division (4 or 5 home games and 5 or 4 away games). A team is awarded two points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss (a tie only occurs if the overtime can not be played). After a regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs (1st place against 4th place and 2nd against 3rd) and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called SuperFinal; there is no 3rd place game.

Game rules

Playing rules are based on those of the NCAA College football with minor modifications, e.g.:

Rules are adopted with a one-year delay. For example, 2011 NCAA game rule changes was adopted for 2012 PLFA season.

Before 2012, coaches, players and officials used the English-language NCAA Rulebook. In February 2012, the Rulebook was translated into Polish by the Officiating Department chairman.[1]

Topliga Teams 2018

Group North
  • Kozły Poznań
  • Warsaw Eagles
  • Husaria Szczecin
  • Monarchs Ząbki
   Group South
  • Kraków Tigers
  • Zagłębie Steelers
  • Mustangs Płock
  • Hammers Łaziska Górne

Champions

SeasonPLFA IPLFA II—PLFA 8
(8v8)		—
2006Warsaw Eagles————
2007The Crew Wrocław————
2008Warsaw EaglesLowlanders Białystok———
2009Silesia MinersZagłębie Steelers———
2010Devils WrocławBielawa Owls———
2011The Crew WrocławWarsaw Spartans—Warsaw Eagles B—
SeasonTopligaPLFA IPLFA IIPLFA 8
(8v8)		PLFA J
(under-17, 8v8)
2012Seahawks GdyniaWarsaw SpartansTychy FalconsSeahawks GdyniaWarsaw Eagles
2013Giants WrocławHusaria SzczecinKrólewscy WarszawaZagłębie SteelersBielawa Owls
2014Seahawks GdyniaHusaria SzczecinSilesia RebelsWarsaw Eagles CPanthers Wrocław
2015Seahawks GdyniaKraków KingsOutlaws WrocławOldBoys WarszawaPanthers Wrocław
2016Panthers WrocławTychy FalconsPanthers Wrocław BOldBoys WarszawaBielawa Owls
2017Panthers WrocławWarsaw Sharks
2018Warsaw Eagles

See also

References

[2] [3]

  1. ↑ "Przepisy futbolu amerykańskiego ... po polsku!" (in Polish). pzfa.pl. 11 Feb 2012. Retrieved 17 Nov 2012.
  2. ↑ http://en.plfa.pl/tables/8
  3. ↑ http://en.plfa.pl/
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