The Experiences of Women in Professional Tackle Football

Abstract

There has been a quiet surge in the growth of professional women\u27s football teams in the US. Currently the Independent Women\u27s Football League (IWFL) and Women\u27s Football Association (WFA) feature dozens of teams which offer new and ex citing playing opportunities for women from all backgrounds. Despite this growth at the professional level, tackle football is not offered at the interscholastic level for girls and youth football programs for girls are not widely available. Girls who desire to play football most often have limited opportunities in flag football or as members of well-established boys programs. The goals of this session are to (1) increase awareness and promote professional women\u27s football in the US and (2) expose and share strategies for increasing opportunities for females of all ages to play. This presentation will provide an introduction to professional football in the US via an overview of the two predominant leagues and a brief overview of the current literature examining psychosocial and social cultural factors related to women\u27s professional football. A panel discussion with current active players will address their personal experiences as participants including benefits and consequences of participating and their ideas, thoughts and beliefs on how to initiate football programs for girls and women of all ages throughout the United States. A question and answer session with the panel will conclude the session