A Football League of Their Own: The St. Louis SLAM
ByBy annie Monday September 21, 2009
A Football League of Their Own: The St. Louis SLAM
My Dad grew up playing football and used to coach high school football. He’s said, on many different occasions, had I been a boy, I would have played football. It’s tough, it’s aggressive and it’s a high impact, no nonsense adrenaline rush. Little did he know, St. Louis has their own women’s football team, the St. Louis SLAM. A member of the American League in the WFA (Women’s Football Alliance), the undefeated St. Louis SLAM won the 2009 Women’s Football Alliance National Championship on August 15 by defeating the West Michigan Mayhem at the Pan American Stadium in New Orleans.
St. Louis SLAM was founded in 2003 when they joined the National Women’s Football Association. After the NWFA disbanded the team began playing with the the WFA; their first WFA season was in 2009. The WFA boasts 36 teams that are spread across the country. From the Baltimore Burn to the Minnesota Machine to the Arizona Assassins, women’s professional tackle football is catching on. Here’s some background on the SLAM and where you can see them next:
Up until a few months ago, I had no idea the SLAM existed. According to their website, their season is played in the spring/summer with their home games played at CBC’s field. However, you still have a chance to see the St. Louis SLAM in action this fall. This Sunday, September 27, the SLAM will be playing at half time during the St. Louis Rams game. Tickets are $50 a piece and are in sections 450-404. This is a fundraiser for our National Champion team, and they might just prove to be more dynamic than our men’s tackle football team!
I read about the SLAM playing at the Rams half time and immediately went to buy tickets, only to realize I’d be out of town for the game. However, I spent some time on the SLAM’s website and read player bios, the team’s history and the “Wanna Play?” section. In last year’s regular, undefeated season the SLAM scored 48 points per game on average. Their opponents did not fair so well, with their points allowed average only a mere 8. The Kansas City Storm and Missouri Phoenix each posted no points against the St. Louis SLAM in the 2009 season.
The SLAM is a professional team with an owner, general manager, head coach and team physician. The players are women from the St. Louis metro area who all seem to have one thing in common: a love for playing the game. From nurses who love scrap booking to physical therapists who like acting, the SLAM roster is diverse. Many rookies are listed which is a sign of the rising popularity the sport, and that there are women out there who can give and take hits.
As a female who has had a love for football ever since my grandfather explained the stop and go action, I found myself thinking about try outs. As a softball player, I never shied away from a collision at the plate and the slide tackle was a favorite of mine in soccer. I was pleased to see on SLAM’s website that try outs for the 2010 SLAM will be held on October 4 from 2:30 to 5:00 with the location to be announced soon (check back with their website for location). But as I looked through pictures from the championship game last month and players bios, I thought twice about trying out. This is not powder puff, juniors verses seniors football. Anyone who thinks women are not capable of the stiff arm should watch this video and at 1:42 watch a SLAM running back bury a would be tackler. I had previously thought if I were to play, I’d fancy myself a linebacker as I am relatively swift and wouldn’t have to deal with being hit, as I’d be the player to deliver them. However, if I have to try out against the players of the SLAM, I think I’d be in trouble. I’ll do my best to be at the 2010 home opener, however I’ll be in the stands! Go SLAM!
(Photos courtesy of St. Louis SLAM)
Annie is the Sports and Fitness Editor for Girls Guide. She writes about all kinds of sports related topics and then really goes out and plays sports almost every evening. You can contact Annie by emailing her at annie [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and we are still trying to talk her into getting a Twitter account – no success yet.
