Did You Know New Hampshire and Maine are Home to Women’s Football Teams?

Women's Football Alliance

When you think of the word football, what comes to mind? The NFL. College football. Fantasy football. No matter the league, no matter the level, it's usually all the same -- big, burly, strong men pummeling each other for four quarters once a week all for a leather, wonky-shaped ball.

Unfortunately, women never really come to mind straight away, right? And if they do, it's usually thoughts of a fun, less aggressive, "powderpuff" type game.

But here's the thing. The Women's Football Alliance isn't that. In fact, these strong as hell women couldn't be further from the term "powderpuff."

Since 2009, according to their official website, the WFA has been breaking down barriers. Their National Championship was the first to be played in an NFL stadium amongst any women's football league, as well as the first to have said game nationally televised. Currently, the WFA is the longest-running and largest women's tackle football league in the entire world.

And Northern New England is blessed to be represented not once, but twice, in this historic league.

New Hampshire Rebellion

Representing Division 3 in the WFA, the New Hampshire Rebellion was originally known as the Northeast Ruckus until officially changing their name back in February 2023.

Made up of "girls from all over the state that come to play," according to Offensive Line Captain Marina Dickey, the members of the Rebellion "come from all walks of life."

These girls are just simply amazing. We share this common bond and love for the game [and] put in a lot of work.

 

The Rebellion kick off their 2024 season on Saturday, May 11, going head-to-head with the Connecticut Ambush at Manchester High School West in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kickoff is at 6:30p and admission is free.

Maine Mayhem

Also representing Division 3 in the WFA, Northern New England's other representative of fierce, powerful, women, the Maine Mayhem, have been a force since their very first season back in 2016, when they were members of the Independent Women's Football League and made it all the way to that season's Affiliate championship game in Charlotte, North Carolina.

They haven't taken their foot off the gas, either, becoming the Northeast Regional Champions in 2023. Their 2024 season is already underway, sitting at a 1-1 record at the time of this writing.

How to Play in WFA

According to the earlier mentioned NH Rebellion Offensive Line Captain, Marina Dickey, it's actually still possible to join one of the WFA teams if you're interested.

Women can join pretty much at anytime, the only cut off is about halfway through the season due to playoff stipulations. They can reach us through Facebook, our website or heck, even just show up to a practice.

And if you decide to take the leap like Marina did back in 2021 (which she almost didn't, but as the tryout date that year crept up, she didn't want to regret not at least trying), you may find that being part of the Rebellion, the Mayhem, or any other WFA team is a lot more than just being a member of a team.

This team has done everything for me. It’s gotten me active and out of the house. It’s given me 27 really good friends who I love to hangout with even off the field. I call it my therapy, because I just feel better after. When I step on the field my only concern is playing football with my friends.

And if you're into the ole border rivalry between New Hampshire and Maine, the Mayhem and Rebellion actually clash head-to-head on Saturday, June 1, at Memorial Stadium in Portland, Maine. Kickoff is at 6p.

Good luck to both the Rebellion and Mayhem on successful seasons, and here's hoping we have an all-Northern New England regional championship game at the end of this season!