Women's Football Alliance

The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is a professional full-contact Women's American football 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.

Women's Football Alliance
Current season, competition or edition:
2018 Women's Football Alliance season
SportAmerican Football
Founded2008
No. of teams59 for 2020 season
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		Division I – Boston Renegades
Division II – St. Louis Slam
Division III – Nevada Storm
Most titlesSt. Louis Slam (4)
&
Boston Militia/Renegades (4)

League history

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.

WFA Teams

2020 Season Teams

American (Western) Conference--33 Teams
Team Location Home Field
Arlington Impact (div I) Arlington, Texas R.L. Anderson Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Austin Outlaws (div II) Austin, Texas Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas
Cali War (div I) Torrance, California Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California
Capital Pioneers (div III) Salem, Oregon
Dallas Elite (div I) Dallas, Texas Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions Stadium in Plano, Texas
Gulf Coast Monarchy (div III) Biloxi, Mississippi Kroc Center in Biloxi, Mississippi
Houston Energy (div II) Houston, Texas Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas
Houston Power (div III) Houston, Texas Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas
Huntsville Tigers (div III) Huntsville, Alabama
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 II) 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
Phoenix Phantomz (div III) Phoenix, Arizona Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona
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
Saint Louis Slam (div II) 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
Southern Oregon Lady Gades (div III) Medford, Oregon
Sun City Stealth (div III) El Paso, Texas
Tulsa Threat (div II) Tulsa, Oklahoma
Waco Madbears (div III) Waco, Texas Chilton High School

National (Eastern) Conference--26 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 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 Columbus North High School
(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 McArthur K-8 Universal Academy in Southfield, 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
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
Ontario MIFA All-Stars (div III) Ontario, Canada
Orlando Anarchy (div III) Orlando, Florida Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida
Pittsburgh Passion (div II) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Joe P. DeMichela Stadium in Imperial, Pennsylvania
Richmond Black Widows (div III) Richmond, Virginia Hermitage High School in Richmond, Virginia
Toledo Reign (div III) Toledo, Ohio Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio

Expansion 2021 and inactive teams
Team City Home Field
Flint City Riveters Flint, Michigan
Madison Blaze Madison, Wisconsin
Ottawa Mudcats Ottawa, Kansas
West Michigan Mayhem Kalamazoo, Michigan

Former WFA teams

WFA Division I Championship Game results
YearWinnerLoserScore
2009St. Louis SlamWest Michigan Mayhem21–14
2010Lone Star MustangsColumbus Comets16–12
2011Boston MilitiaSan Diego Surge34–19
2012San Diego SurgeChicago Force40–36
2013Chicago ForceDallas Diamonds81–34
2014Boston MilitiaSan Diego Surge69–34
2015D.C. DivasDallas Elite30–26
2016D.C. DivasDallas Elite28-26
2017Dallas EliteBoston Renegades31-21
2018Boston RenegadesLos Angeles Warriors42-18
2019Boston RenegadesCali War52-24

WFA Division II Championship Game results
YearWinnerLoserScore
2016St. Louis SlamTampa Bay Inferno38–7
2017St. Louis SlamTampa Bay Inferno42-15
2018New York SharksMinnesota Vixen27-21
2019St. Louis SlamDetroit Dark Angels34-0

WFA Division III Championship Game results
YearWinnerLoserScore
2016Acadiana ZydecoRichmond Black Widows20–18
2017Arkansas WildcatsOrlando Anarchy42-26
2018Orlando AnarchyArkansas Wildcats46-0
2019Nevada StormOrlando Anarchy62-45

Alliance Bowl results
YearWinnerLoserScore
2014Indy CrashSeattle Majestics26–12
2015Central Cal War AngelsAtlanta Phoenix28–8

Alliance Bowl Midwest Region results
YearWinnerLoserScore
2015Houston PowerAcadiana Zydeco18–6
gollark: ····
gollark: Anyway, upsides of client-rendering:- UI can be faster and more responsive, and allow stuff like "live" search that updates as you type and instant preview of markdown- can connect other stuff to same APIDownsides:- more code, it's somewhat annoying/problem-inducing to synchronize state correctly between server and client- more JS dependencies
gollark: They need precise 3-space coordinates.
gollark: I suppose I WILL need to find your address for orbital laser strike targeting.
gollark: I don't, actually.

See also

References
  1. Exit, Merle (2011-01-07). "New York Sharks Women Tackle the Football World". Alternet. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  2. "Bipartisan tax relief measures proposed in Maryland". Gazette.net. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  3. "Chicago Force begin try outs, ladies are you ready to play some football? - Call Of The Wild". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  5. "Heinz Field To Host SilverSport Women's Football Alliance National Championship". Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  6. Staffieri, Mark. "Whitney Zelee Emerging as the Finest Running Back in All of Women's Football". Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  7. "2014 WFA National Championship Weekend" (Press Release). wfafootball.net. Women's Football Alliance. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  8. "Cahill Notches 100th Career Victory" (Press Release). bostonrenegadesfootball.com. Boston Renegades Women's Football. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.