The health and safety of everyone associated with the Women’s Football Alliance including players, coaches, fans and their communities is and will continue to be our No. 1 priority as we navigate the ongoing health crisis related to the Coronavirus (“Covid-19”) Pandemic. At this time, the WFA Board has decided to suspend hosting a championship season in 2020.
On March 12, 2020, the WFA Board made the announcement to delay the commencement of our 2020 season in the hopes that our communities would start to see a flattening of the infection curve. We tentatively planned to return to the football field in May, with games to commence in June. With the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and the Office of the President of the United States, that goal is not possible. Since there is no current timeframe for a safe return, we decided to suspend our season in the hopes that organizations can turn their efforts to the more pressing needs in their families and communities.
As we receive more clarity in the coming weeks, the WFA will work with our board, team ownership, the Players Advisory Council and our sponsors to find ways to progress on our mission to continue the growth of women’s tackle football at the highest competitive level.
These options could range from virtual events and clinics in the summer, to exhibition games, regional tournaments, or bowl games when travel and group gatherings are deemed safe.
All of us would like nothing better than to see more women on the football field as soon as we can be comfortable that it is safe. We will provide further updates when those plans come into focus.
While this news is disappointing, we want to remind everyone that 2020 has already brought many significant achievements for the WFA. In preparation for the 2020 season, the WFA signed a television network deal with Eleven Sports which is currently showcasing previously recorded games on their channel until live action can be broadcasted. In addition, we secured the largest in-kind sponsor given to a women’s football league from Procter and Gamble (Secret). Their support will allow the next WFA Championship to have a full national television production and provide championship teams financial support for travel expenses. Other major sponsorships secured included KT Tape, Wilson, Coors, Glazier Clinics, Xenith Helmets, Adenation, and Prizmatic Solutions. We also have a rising number of former players coaching full time in the NFL and their success has helped make the WFA a household name in women’s football with over 1100 articles in every major news outlet mentioning the Women’s Football Alliance from January to April of 2020.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of the essential personnel who are taking care of our community. We stand united in encouraging our community to stay home and follow the guidelines set out by the CDC, WHO and our respective states. WFA management will continue to work with our teams to assist them as they navigate these troubling times. We are committed to coming into 2021 stronger and more united than ever.
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