National Women's Football Association

National Women's Football Association

The National Women's Football Association (NWFA) was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in exhibition games. The opening season was in 2001 featuring eight teams. The NWFA was originally called the National Women's Football League, but changed its name after the 2002 season. The name change came after pressure from the National Football League. The NFL also required the league to change the logos of some teams whose logo resembled those of NFL teams. The NWFA did not officially field any teams for the 2009 season.

Catherine Masters was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006

NWFA teams play according to standard National Football League rules with the following notable exceptions:

  • TDY-sized football
  • only one foot in-bounds is required for a reception
  • no blocking below the waist downfield
  • kickoff takes place on the 35 yard line.

Read more about National Women's Football Association:  Championship Games

Famous quotes containing the words national, women, football and/or association:

    Any honest examination of the national life proves how far we are from the standard of human freedom with which we began. The recovery of this standard demands of everyone who loves this country a hard look at himself, for the greatest achievments must begin somewhere, and they always begin with the person. If we are not capable of this examination, we may yet become one of the most distinguished and monumental failures in the history of nations.
    James Baldwin (1924–1987)

    Katherina. Asses are made to bear, and so are you.
    Petruchio. Women are made to bear, and so are you.
    Katherina. No such jade as you, if me you mean.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    ... in the minds of search committees there is the lingering question: Can she manage the football coach?
    Donna E. Shalala (b. 1941)

    An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)