Women’s Football Alliance
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2022 Women's Football Alliance Season
SportAmerican Football
Founded2009 (2009)
Inaugural season2009
No. of teams60 active for 2023 season
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)
Pro – Boston Renegades
Div. 2 – New York Wolves
Div. 3 – West Palm Beach Coyotes
Most titlesBoston (7 titles)
Official websitewfaprofootball.com

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 in the world, and the longest running active women's football league in the U.S. Since 2016, the league has operated with three competitive levels: Pro, Division 2 and Division 3. The league is owned and operated by Jeff King and Lisa Gibbons King of Exeter, California. Lisa King is also a wide receiver for the WFA's Cali War.[1]

In addition to operating annual national championship seasons in the United States, the league also operates the WFA International program which organizes international competitions for its own Team United and Team World against each other and all-star teams from other nations. The program also supports international player exchanges and provides logistical support to women's tackle football leagues in Central and South America, Europe, and Africa.[2]

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). St. Louis became the first WFA National Champions with a final game score of 21–14. Additionally, there was an International Game played between the Aguilas Regias of Monterrey, Mexico and the hosting team, New Orleans Blaze. The Blaze won this game 12–0.[3]:123

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,[4] D.C. Divas,[5] Chicago Force,[6] Dallas Diamonds, and Kansas City Tribe.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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."[10] 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. On August 8, 2015, 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, an invitational bowl game also held during championship weekend.

2016

WFA executives launched a new, tiered league structure consisting of three divisions, similar to that of NCAA Football. The league opened the season with 43 teams (11 in Division 1, 16 in Division 2, and 16 in Division 3). The WFA 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 2 championship. The Acadiana Zydeco defeated the Richmond Black Widows 20–18 in the Division 3 title game. All three games were played at Joe P. Michaela Stadium in Imperial, Pa.

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.[11]

2017

The league expanded to 65 teams (15 in Division 1, 19 in Division 2, and 31 in Division 3). On July 22, the Dallas Elite claimed the Division 1 National Championship, dubbed W Bowl II, with a 31–21 outcome against the Boston Renegades at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The St. Louis Slam repeated as Division 2 champions after a rematch in the title game against Tampa Bay finished 42–15. The Arkansas Wildcats beat the Orlando Anarchy 42–26 to claim the Division 3 trophy.

2018

The league opened the season with 67 teams (9 in Division 1, 16 in Division 2, and 39 in Division 3). On July 28, the Boston Renegades won the Division 1 National Championship game 42–18 over the Los Angeles Warriors at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. The game was broadcast on ESPN3. The New York Sharks claimed the Division 2 title with a 27–21 victory over the Minnesota Vixen. In a rematch of the 2017 Division 3 championship game, the Orlando Anarchy defeated the Arkansas Wildcats 46–0.

2019

The league opened with 62 teams (6 in Division 1, 18 in Division 2, and 38 in Division 3). The Boston Renegades repeated as league champions, matching the feat first accomplished by the D.C. Divas (2015, 2016). On July 13, Boston beat the Cali War 52–24 at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. The game was broadcast on ESPN3. The St. Louis Slam won their third Division 2 title in four years by downing the Detroit Dark Angels 34–0. The Orlando Anarchy made their third consecutive trip to the Division 3 championship game but fell to the Nevada Storm 62–45.

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.[12] 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[13] and eight games from the 2019 season[14] 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.[15]

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 49 teams (7 in Division 1, 12 in Division 2, and 30 in Division 3). On July 24, the Boston Renegades collected their third consecutive league title with a 42–26 victory over the Minnesota Vixen. The Nevada Storm 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 Arizona Outkast. All three championship games and the 2021 All-American game were broadcast on Next Level Sports television channel and FTF Next streaming channel.

2022

Heading into the 2022 season, the WFA rebranded Division 1 as the Pro Division and labeled the level as "WFA Pro." The league started the season with 59 teams: 11 in the Pro Division, 12 in Division 2, and 27 in Division 3. The league also added a developmental level that launched with nine teams.

The league's championship games again took place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. On July 10, the Boston Renegades collected their fourth consecutive league title with a 32–12 victory over the Minnesota Vixen.[16] On July 9, the Mile High Blaze defeated the Derby City Dynamite 21–20 to win the Division 2 title,[17] and the Oklahoma City Lady Force claimed the Division 3 crown with a 25–0 victory over the Capital City Savages.[18] The National Conference won the All-American Game 14–12.

For the first time, the WFA Pro National Championship Game was broadcast on ESPN2. AdeNation was the name sponsor for the championship game while Xenith sponsored the WFA All-American Game. The WFA also signed a multi-year licensing deal with Fathead [19] and brought back "The Road To Canton" television show for a second season.[20] The 2023 season began April 22 with 14 teams.[21]

WFA Teams

WFA Pro

TeamLocationFoundedJoinedHead coach
National Conference
Alabama FireBirmingham, Alabama20152023Cedric Lane
Boston RenegadesBoston, Massachusetts20152015John Johnson
Cali WarLos Angeles, California20182019Jeff King
D.C. DivasWashington, D.C.20002011Allysea Marfull
New York WolvesNew York, New York20182019Fabian Alesandro
Pittsburgh PassionPittsburgh, Pennsylvania20022016Teresa Conn
Tampa Bay InfernoTampa, Florida20092010Arlo Henderson
American Conference
Arlington ImpactArlington, Texas20112023Jimmie Hughes
Dallas Elite MustangsDallas, Texas20142015Kristian Scott
Houston EnergyHouston, Texas20002019Brian Wiggins
Mile High BlazeDenver, Colorado20132015Rob Sandlin
Minnesota VixenSt. Paul, Minnesota19992017Connor Jo Lewis
Nevada StormReno, Nevada20112019Chris Garza
St. Louis SlamSt. Louis, Missouri20032009Quincy Davis


Division 2

TeamLocationFoundedJoinedHead coach
National Conference
Atlanta RageAtlanta, Georgia20222023Blair Clark
Baltimore NighthawksBaltimore, Maryland20072017Mike Lynn
Capital City SavagesLansing, Michigan20172019Andre Broach
Carolina PhoenixGreensboro, North Carolina20062017Maria V. Ormond
Columbus ChaosColumbus, Ohio20212022Mike Kandler
Derby City DynamiteLouisville, Kentucky20112012Tracy Logan
Detroit VenomDetroit, Michigan20112012Andre Harlon
Grand Rapids Tidal WavesGrand Rapids, Michigan20172018Stacey Davis
Jacksonville Dixie BluesJacksonville, Florida20012009Michelle Robinson
Miami FuryMiami, Florida20002011Raul Camaliche
Tri-State WarriorsNew Brunswick, New Jersey20212022Rich Harrigan
West Palm Beach CoyotesWest Palm Beach, Florida20192023Paul Gonsalves
American Conference
Austin OutlawsAustin, Texas20012009Jason Barlow
Nebraska PrideOmaha, Nebraska20232023Nancy Javaux-Major
Oklahoma City Lady ForceOklahoma City, Oklahoma20142021Leonard Bulock
Portland Fighting ShockwavePortland, Oregon20022013TBD
Sun City StealthEl Paso, Texas20192021Marcus Riley
Vegas NVadersLas Vegas, Nevada20232024Erik Garcia

Division 3

RegionTeamLocationFoundedJoinedHead coach
National Conference
Northeast Region Connecticut NightmareWindsor, Connecticut20092017Bruce Haney
Harrisburg HavocHarrisburg, Pennsylvania20212022Jeff Thomas
Maine MayhemPortland, Maine20152017Bryant Oja
New Hampshire RebellionManchester, New Hampshire20212022Arasi Chau
New York KnockoutTroy, New York20122017Lou Butts
Upstate Lady PredatorsRochester, New York20232024Jessica Coluzzi
Southeast Region Cincinnati CougarsCincinnati, Ohio20222023Mike Lucas
East Tennessee ValkyrieElizabethton, Tennessee20212022Shannon Simpson
Music City MizfitsNashville, Tennessee20162017Donald Ragsdale
Orlando AnarchyOrlando, Florida20092010Sherman Harlow
Raleigh ExpressRaleigh, North Carolina20222023Brent Fisher
Richmond Black WidowsRichmond, Virginia20152016Steve Baxter
Virginia PanthersWilliamsburg, Virginia20222023James Lancaster
American Conference
Midwest Region Cedar RaptorsCedar Rapids, Iowa20232024Quinton Ray
Iowa PhoenixDes Moines, Iowa20182019Ricky Jimenez-Dragoni
Midwest Mountain LionsWaukegan, Illinois20192022Jahamal Hardy
Minnesota MinxMinneapolis, Minnesota20212022Grand Palmer
Oklahoma RageTulsa, Oklahoma20222023Tarrion Adams
Sioux Falls Snow LeopardsSioux Falls, South Dakota20212021Riley Key
Zydeco SpiceLafayette, Louisiana20092010Josh Edison
Pacific Region Arizona OutkastPhoenix, Arizona20112019TBD
Capital PioneersSalem, Oregon20192021TBD
Central Valley ChaosBakersfield, California20212023Andrew Blanton
New Mexico BanitasLas Cruces, New Mexico20222023Brian Bartlett
Oregon CougarsEugene, Oregon20212022Chuck Hoffman
Rocky Mountain ThunderkatzColorado Springs, Colorado20122017Demareo Pruitt
Wasatch WarriorsSalt Lake City, Utah20192023Abel Tenorio

Developmental

TeamLocationFoundedJoinedHead coach
Florida LegacyFort Myers, Florida20232024Madison Schmatz

WFA PRO 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
2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Boston RenegadesMinnesota Vixen42-26
2022Boston RenegadesMinnesota Vixen32-12
2023Boston RenegadesSt. Louis Slam35-7

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
2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Nevada StormDetroit Dark Angels42-18
2022Mile High BlazeDerby City Dynamite21-20
2023New York WolvesOklahoma City Lady Force21-0

WFA Division III Championship Game results

YearWinnerLoserScore
2016Acadiana ZydecoRichmond Black Widows20–18
2017Arkansas WildcatsOrlando Anarchy42-26
2018Orlando AnarchyArkansas Wildcats46-0
2019Nevada StormOrlando Anarchy62-45
2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Derby City DynamiteArizona Outkast30-20
2022Oklahoma City Lady ForceCapital City Savages25-0
2023West Palm Beach CoyotesNew Mexico Banitas58-6

Alliance Bowl results

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

Alliance Bowl Midwest Region results

YearWinnerLoserScore
2015Houston PowerAcadiana Zydeco9-6

See also

References

  1. "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE (WFA)". dcdivas.com. FinTel Communications. 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  2. "WFA International". wfaprofootball.com. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  3. Crawford, Russ (November 2022). Women's American Football: Breaking Barriers On and Off the Gridiron. U of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-1-4962-3333-2. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  4. Exit, Merle (2011-01-07). "New York Sharks Women Tackle the Football World". Alternet. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  5. "Bipartisan tax relief measures proposed in Maryland". Gazette.net. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  6. "Chicago Force begin try outs, ladies are you ready to play some football? - Call Of The Wild". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  7. "Women's Football champions the Kansas City Tribe suing to leave their league - Kansas City News - Plog". Archived from the original on 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  8. "Heinz Field To Host SilverSport Women's Football Alliance National Championship". Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  9. Staffieri, Mark (June 18, 2013). "Whitney Zelee Emerging as the Finest Running Back in All of Women's Football". Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. "2014 WFA National Championship Weekend" (Press Release). wfafootball.net. Women's Football Alliance. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  11. "Cahill Notches 100th Career Victory" (Press Release). bostonrenegadesfootball.com. Boston Renegades Women's Football. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  12. "WFA ends pursuit of 2020 championship season". wfaprofootball.com. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  13. "WFA signs television network deal". wfaprofootball.com. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  14. "2019 Championship on National Television". wfaprofootball.com. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  15. "'Born To Play' Garners National Media Attention and Widespread Critical Acclaim". bostonrenegadesfootball.com. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  16. Kujawa, Taylor (July 11, 2022). "WFA: Boston Renegades claim 2022 championship title". Her Football Hub. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  17. Newman, Kyle (July 11, 2022). "Kimberly Santistevan's three TD passes lead Mile High Blaze to women's tackle football national title". The Denver Post. Digital First Media. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  18. Crawford, Russ (July 20, 2022). "Boston Renegades capture 4th straight Women's Football Alliance Pro Division title, Blaze, Lady Force also winners". American Football International. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  19. "WFA SIGNS MULTI-YEAR LICENSING DEAL WITH FATHEAD". 23 June 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  20. "WFA FOOTBALL SHOW 'ROAD TO CANTON' ADDS MORE TALENT". 17 February 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  21. "Women Tackle Football with a Full-Contact League of Their Own". Bloomberg. 14 April 2023.
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