Like most gridiron fans my Sunday started with the usual mix of anticipation and excitement, in fact this week was even more special than usual as we had the first NFL International Series game of the 2014 season at Wembley Stadium.
It was actually when I was on my way to Wembley that I first caught wind of the rumour that the second season of LFL Australia was cancelled. I spent the next few hours enjoying the International Series but knew as soon as it was finished I would need confirmation if this rumour were true!
Finally when I got home late Sunday evening, twitter confirmed the earlier story that the second season of LFL Australia had officially been caned. I was absolutely gutted as my excitement had been building all year since New South Wales lifted the trophy back in February. Not only that but I really feel for the players and coaches who have been training all year only to have the rug pulled from under their feet.
As I woke up I had no idea that during the morning I would find out you can not stop an Australian from do something they are so passionate about and that is where the Ladies Gridiron League (LGL) comes in!
It is fair to say that before today I had never heard of the LGL but whilst I was touching base with one of the players, she advised me that a lot of the players had signed for this new league and that I needed to check it out.
The next thing you know I'm spending my lunch break trawling through their facebook page and trying to search the internet for anything I could find and here is what I have managed to find out so far:
The LGL was originally created as a minor league or feeder league for the Legends Football League back in 2012 however it has since been taken over by a new owner and is planning to take the world of gridiron by storm.
I have also found out the league has managed to acquire some of the big names from the LFL to play in their first season next year including Danika Brace, Stevi Schnoor and a whole host of talent from the Australian rosters.
One of the LGL’s other main selling points is that the players themselves will be paid for playing a sport that they give absolutely everything too. This for me is massive and it will certainly help the athletes get the credit they deserve for what they leave on the field week in and week out!
I would also just like to say that although there is a new league you will not hear me saying any bad things about the LFL as I stand by everything they have achieved so far and I hope that they use this setback to improve the league and take the game to new levels when the LFL US returns to our screens next year.
I do however also plan to support the new league as ultimately my goal is the promotion of Women’s gridiron across the globe and ensuring that both the LGL and LFL athletes get the credit they deserve!
Welcome to the spotlight and my viewing calendar Ladies Gridiron League!
All photos and videos courtesy of Ladies Gridiron League unless otherwise stated.