Women's Football Alliance
Current season, competition or edition: | |
 | |
| Sport | Women's American football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| No. of teams | 65 for 2018 season |
| Country |
United States Canada |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Division I – Boston Renegades Tier II – New York Sharks Division III – Orlando Anarchy |
| Most titles |
Overall- St. Louis Slam (3-1 main and 2 D2) Division 1 – Boston Militia and D.C. Divas (2 each) |
The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is a full-contact Women's American football league that began play in 2009. It is one of three full-contact, 11-on-11 football leagues for women, along with the Independent Women's Football League and the United States Women's Football League, and the largest of the three. The league is owned and operated by Jeff and Lisa King of Exeter, California.
League history
The Women's Football Alliance was established in 2009 and began its inaugural season with 36 teams. Many of these teams were already established teams moving in 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 league structure consisting of three divisions/tiers. 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.
WFA Teams
Current Teams
| Division[9] | Team[9] | Region[9] | City[9] | Home Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Conference | ||||
| Division I | Arlington Impact | Midwest Region | Arlington, TX | Pennington Field |
| Dallas Elite | Midwest Region | Dallas, TX | Alfred Loos Stadium | |
| Kansas City Titans | Midwest Region | Kansas City, MO | ||
| Los Angeles Warriors | Pacific Region | Los Angeles, CA | ||
| Portland Shockwave | Pacific Region | Portland, OR | ||
| Division II | Capital City Rage | Pacific Region | Sacramento, CA | |
| Everett Reign | Pacific Region | Everett, WA | ||
| Mile High Blaze | Pacific Region | Denver, CO | Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch | |
| Minnesota Vixen | Midwest Region | Minneapolis, MN | ||
| San Diego Rebellion | Pacific Region | San Diego, CA | ||
| Tacoma Trauma | Pacific Region | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Wisconsin Dragons | Midwest Region | Milwaukee, WI | ||
| Division III | Acadiana Zydeco | Midwest Region | Lafayette, LA | |
| Arkansas Wildcats | Midwest Region | Benton, AR | CW Lewis Stadium | |
| Austin Outlaws | Midwest Region | Austin, TX | ||
| Colorado Freeze | Pacific Region | Denver, CO | North Stadium in Westminster, CO | |
| Houston Power | Midwest Region | Houston, TX | WW Thorne Stadium | |
| Inland Empire Ravens | Pacific Region | San Diego, CA | ||
| Kern County Crusaders | Pacific Region | Bakersfield, CA | ||
| Las Cruces La Muerte | Pacific Region | Las Cruces, NM | ||
| Madison Blaze | Midwest Region | Madison, WI | ||
| Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz | Pacific Region | Colorado Springs, CO | ||
| Roswell Destroyers | Pacific Region | Roswell, NM | ||
| Santa Fe Dukes | Pacific Region | Santa Fe, NM | ||
| Sin City Trojans | Pacific Region | Las Vegas, NV | ||
| Utah Blitz | Pacific Region | Salt Lake City, UT | Judge Memorial Catholic High School | |
| Ventura Wolfpack | Pacific Region | Ventura, CA | ||
| National Conference | ||||
| Division I | Atlanta Phoenix | Southeast Region | Atlanta, GA | Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University |
| Boston Renegades | Northeast Region | Boston, MA | Dilboy Stadium | |
| D.C. Divas | Northeast Region | Washington, D.C. | Prince George's Sports Complex | |
| Pittsburgh Passion | Northeast Region | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Division II | Baltimore Nighthawks | Northeast Region | Baltimore, MD | |
| Cleveland Fusion | Northeast Region | Cleveland, OH | ||
| Columbus Comets | Northeast Region | Columbus, OH | ||
| Detroit Dark Angels | Northeast Region | Detroit, MI | ||
| Jacksonville Dixie Blues | Southeast Region | Jacksonville, FL | ||
| Miami Fury | Southeast Region | Miami, FL | ||
| New York Sharks | Northeast Region | New York, NY | ||
| Philly Phantomz | Northeast Region | Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Tampa Bay Inferno | Northeast Region | Tampa Bay, FL | ||
| Division III | Alabama Fire | Southeast Region | Birmingham, AL | |
| Carolina Phoenix | Southeast Region | Greensboro, NC | Eastern Guilford High School | |
| Cincinnati Sizzle | Northeast Region | Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Columbus Vanguards | Northeast Region | Columbus, IN | Knightstown, Indiana High School | |
| Western Connecticut Hawks | Northeast Region | Fairfield, CT | New Fairfield High School | |
| Daytona Waverunners | Southeast Region | Daytona, FL | ||
| Derby City Dynamite | Northeast Region | Elizabethtown, KY | John Hardin HS Elizabethtown | |
| Flint City Riveters | Northeast Region | Flint, MI | ||
| Grand Rapids Tidal Waves | Northeast Region | Grand Rapids, MI | ||
| Huntsville Tigers | Northeast Region | Madison, AL | Discovery Middle School | |
| Keystone Assault | Northeast Region | Harrisburg, PA | Lower Dauphin Middle School in Hummelstown, PA | |
| Knoxville Lightning | Southeast Region | Knoxville, TN | ||
| Maine Mayhem | Northeast Region | Portland, ME | ||
| Mississippi Royalty | Southeast Region | Hattiesburg, MS | ||
| Music City Mizfits | Northeast Region | Nashville, TN | Ted Rhodes Park Fields | |
| New England Nightmare | Northeast Region | Windsor, CT | Jack O'Brien Stadium | |
| New York Knockout | Northeast Region | Albany, NY | Schenectady High School | |
| Orlando Anarchy | Southeast Region | Orlando, FL | ||
| Richmond Black Widows | Northeast Region | Richmond, VA | ||
| Savannah Hurricanez | Southeast Region | Savannah, GA | ||
| South Carolina Smash | Northeast Region | Columbia, SC | ||
| Toledo Reign | Northeast Region | Toledo, OH | ||
Teams Joining in 2019
| Team[9] | City[9] | Home Field |
|---|---|---|
| Indy Crash | Indianapolis, IN | Roncalli High School |
| Southern Oregon Lady Renegades | Medford, OR |
Inactive Teams
| Team | City | Home Field |
|---|---|---|
| Carson City Silver Miners | Carson City, NV | |
| Central California War Angels | Merced, CA | |
| Chicago Force | Chicago, IL | Lane Technical College Prep High School |
| El Centro-Imperial Aces | El Centro, CA | Imperial Valley College Stadium |
| Minnesota Machine | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury High School |
| Montreal Blitz | Lachine, QC | Dalbe-Viau High School |
| Nebraska Nite Hawks | Omaha, NE | |
| Palmdale-Victor Valley Vixens | Palmdale, CA | |
| St Louis Slam | Saint Louis, MO | Lindenwood University |
| Southern Heroines | Temecula, CA | |
| West Michigan Mayhem | Kalamazoo, MI |
Former WFA teams
- Atlanta Heartbreakers – played in WFA in 2011, then left to join Women's Spring Football League.
- Arizona She Devils- played in WFA in 2009[10]
- Baltimore Burn – played in WFA from 2009 to 2010, now back playing as a combined team with the Keystone Assault in Women's Football Alliance.
- Binghamton Tiger Cats – played in WFA in 2009, then left to join Independent Women's Football League; team now in Women's Eights Football League.
- Cincinnati Sizzle – played in WFA from 2009 to 2014, then left to join Women's Spring Football League.
- Keystone Assault – played in WFA from 2009 to 2012, then left to join Independent Women's Football League; now back playing as a combined team with the Baltimore Burn Women's Football Alliance.
- Memphis Dynasty – played in WFA from 2010 to 2012, then left to join Women's Spring Football League.
- Nebraska Stampede – played in WFA from 2010 to 2014, then left to join Independent Women's Football League.
- Nevada Storm – played in WFA in 2013, then returned to Independent Women's Football League.
- New England Nightmare – played in WFA from 2010 to 2012, then left to join Independent Women's Football League; team now in Women's Spring Football League.
- New York Sharks – played in WFA from 2011 to 2013, then returned to Independent Women's Football League.
- Phoenix Prowlers – played in WFA in 2009
- Pittsburgh Passion – played in WFA from 2011 to 2013, team has returned to Women's Football Alliance.
- Tennessee Train – played in WFA from 2013 to 2014, then left to join Independent Women's Football League.
- Toledo Reign – played in WFA from 2009 to 2014, then left to join Independent Women's Football League.
WFA Championship Game results
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | St. Louis Slam | West Michigan Mayhem | 21–14 |
| 2010 | 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 |
| 2014 | Boston Militia | San Diego Surge | 69–34 |
| 2015 | D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 30–26 |
| 2016 | D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 41-37 |
| 2017 | Dallas Elite | Boston Renegades | 31-21 |
| 2018 | Boston Renegades | Los Angeles Warriors | 42-18 |
Division/Tier II Championship Game results
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 38–7 |
| 2017 | St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 42-15 |
| 2018 | New York Sharks | Minnesota Vixen | 27-21 |
Division/Tier III Championship Game results
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Acadiana Zydeco | Richmond Black Widows | 20–18 |
| 2017 | Arkansas Wildcats | Orlando Anarchy | 42-26 |
| 2018 | Orlando Anarchy | Arkansas Wildcats | 46-0 |
Alliance Bowl results
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Indy Crash | Seattle Majestics | 26–12 |
| 2015 | Central Cal War Angels | Atlanta Phoenix | 28–8 |
Alliance Bowl Midwest Region results
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Houston Power | Acadiana Zydeco | 18–6 |
See also
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.
- ↑
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Teams by Division". Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ↑ Rivera, Andrea (January 28, 2009). "She Devils plan on full contact". Arizona Daily Star. tucson.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.