Hello and welcome to the latest in my series of Legends Football League (LFL) articles. In this instalment I bring you a preview of the latest league to rise up and that is LFL Australia. My aim is to get you as psyched as I am for the start of this new season kicking off Saturday 7th December 2013.
For those of you who have never experienced the LFL before, it is a 7 on 7 version of American Football played by women. Most matches normally take place inside an arena however as you will find out, Australia will be a little different!
The rules follow closely that of the NFL with the exception of a few subtleties like no extra point kick after each score and the pitch is only 50 yards long. Instead of a kick, teams have the choice of going for a one or two point conversion which can be made with a run or pass. I strongly recommend you take a few minutes to read my insight to the LFL before the season starts.
Okay so now we get back to the main course, the inaugural season of LFL Australia. The league will consist of four teams who will play each other once before the Legends Cup which is scheduled to take place on the 8th February 2014.
I mentioned earlier that there will be some differences between LFL US and LFL Australia and the big one is that all games will be played outdoors on grass in some magnificent stadiums.
Let us now meet the teams:
I mentioned earlier that there will be some differences between LFL US and LFL Australia and the big one is that all games will be played outdoors on grass in some magnificent stadiums.
Let us now meet the teams:
Victoria Maidens
The Maidens will play all of their home games in Melbourne at AAMI Park, also known as ‘The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium’ which is pictured below:
I have also been fortunate enough to catch up with Rachel Locks, one of the Maidens players, whose interview is below:
When did you hear about the LFL and what made you decide to try out for a team?
I heard about the LFL a few years ago but at that stage it was only in the US and I thought that if I wanted to ever play gridiron I would have to make the move. Thankfully try outs were posted on the internet and I just went. Although I hadn't been training or playing sport in years, the first tryouts gave me an idea on where I needed to improve so that the second time I tried out I was more successful. I guess I decided to play because it was new and I wanted a challenge, plus I just wanted to play.
Have you always been a fan of American Football or did this start when you joined the league?
I started seeing games on TV a few years ago, but had no idea what was going on and slowly learnt. A friend put me onto nfl network, so that's pretty much the only TV I watch. I watch it on a break at work, when I wake up and stretching out after a run, yeah I’m obsessed. I decided during last season I would jump on the Packers bandwagon but have since learnt they're a good organisation.
How long have you been training with the team and how many team training sessions do you have a week?
I've been training with the team since Coach Brett Chambers took over and we have 3 compulsory trainings with optional extra sessions but with me being a night shift worker it’s hard to get to the optional. I currently train on Saturdays with about only 1 hours sleep. We of course all hit the gym and parks as often as possible and often train with team mates.
What does a typical training session consist of?
As always we start with warm up and stretching then we move onto specific drills usually to either improve on technique or just to get reps so we don't get sloppy. After that we scrimmage which of course is the best, I can’t get enough. We also do a night with the Quarterback going over coaches’ notes, training film and LFL film. I personally like the fact that it’s just the team as it gives Penny the chance to really take control of the team and for us to bond with her because at the end of the day coach won’t be on that field in the huddle, he'll be communicating through her and the captains. Our optional training session is usually more relaxed but allows us to have more one on one time with coach for feedback, technique changes and it lets us really work on what we personally want to improve on.
What has been the hardest thing about learning / playing American Football?
For me learning to run and run fast, haha, I was a born and bred swimmer so running was really hard to work on but in all honesty it hasn't been hard to learn, maybe it’s because I love the challenge. The rules really confuse you at first but I think coach puts us in positions we are naturally built for so it’s made learning easier. Actually the hardest thing has been changing my diet, I am a sweets fiend.
Have you had the opportunity to watch any of the 2013 LFLUS season and if so who or what has left the biggest impression on you?
I watched a few of the games at the start of the season but due to my study load on top of work and LFL I had to stop but lately it’s been the footage coach wants me to watch, that and NFL. They’re all incredible athletes.
Please can you give our readers three reasons to watch LFL Australia this season?
1. Because I’m playing and I’m pretty awesome, hahaha but in all seriousness the women in our league are incredible sportswomen and they’re on incredible journeys. There is so much exceptional talent.
2. It’s a great sport that's fast paced and truly hard hitting, just because we wear padding, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt but we suck it up, stand back up and hit even harder the next time.
3. How often are you going to actually see a gridiron game in a massive stadium? Although people can go see local games, the atmosphere of the crowd, the touchdown and sack celebrations, the aggression of the athletes, will be incredible!! I’m not a fan of AFL but put me in a stadium with fans and I’ll go nuts with them and have a great time.
Finally of the three other teams, who are you most looking forward to playing against and why?
I can't wait to snap the wings of the Angels. I’m a West Aussie and have no loyalty to the state!
NEW SOUTH WALES SURGE
The New South Wales Surge or simply ‘Surge’ as they will be known, will be playing their games in Sydney in the Centrebet Stadium pictured below:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA ANGELS
The Western Australia Angels known simply as the ‘Angels’ will be based at the NIB Stadium in Perth pictured below:
QUEENSLAND BRIGADE
The Queensland Brigade will be playing their home games at Skilled Park on the gold coast, the stadium itself is also known to the locals as the Robina Stadium pictured below:
Skilled Park will also be playing host to the LFL Executive Offices as they oversee the league season.
Now most of the squads for the 2013 LFL Australia season will be home based players however there will also be some of the well known LFL US stars sprinkled in as well. The first of these is Australia’s own Chloe Butler, defensive end for the Los Angeles Temptation who will be playing for the ‘Surge’. Chloe will also be joined her LA teammate, Middle Linebacker Monique Gaxiola. I have also read that Chloe is originally from Queensland and so she may not get a great reception from the Brigade fans. This dates back to the old rugby league rivalry which saw the best players from Queensland travelling out to play for Sydney because that was where the big money was to be earned.
The other LFL US player I was extremely pleased to hear would be heading out to play for the ‘Angels’ is my defensive impact player of the year Adrian Purnell of the Jacksonville Breeze.
Well I think all that remains now is for you to pick your team surely? If you are still undecided at this point maybe these last videos on each team’s quarterback will help make up your mind courtesy of LFL Films:
Victoria Maidens – Penny Reid
NEW SOUTH WALES SURGE - JACINDA BARCLAY
WESTERN AUSTRALIA ANGELS - LEAH TURNBULL
QUEENSLAND BRIGADE - JAYNE CALDWELL
To finish I would like to thank Rachel Locks for her time and I would also like to thank Christian Ganaban, Tyler De Haven and Kelly Campbell from LFL Head Office for their co-operation with this article.
I hope you all enjoy this season as much as I know that I will! Until next time ladies and gents, take care, stay safe and ‘Thanks for Stopping By’.
I hope you all enjoy this season as much as I know that I will! Until next time ladies and gents, take care, stay safe and ‘Thanks for Stopping By’.
All pictures and videos courtesy of LFLUS.com, LFL360.com and www.youtube.com/mylfl unless mentioned otherwise on the image.