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

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