Brava

May 2013

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live on the move Football— and the art of Throwing Like a Woman By Ann Imig Let's see a show of hands for how many Madisonians know we have a women's football team. It's true—they're called Madison Blaze. And we're not talking flag football. Oh no. This is full-contact See the Blaze tackle football in a professional in Action! women's league. Madison Blaze's season Next, raise your hand if you begins this month and wish to know what happens when includes home games at an ungainly 39-year-old with no Madison Memorial High School. Visit madisonfirst-hand knowledge of football blazefootball.com for (save for ogling Coach and Tim dates. Riggins on the TV series "Friday Night Lights") suits up and joins the team for a practice? OK, you can put your hand down now—everyone in the waiting room is staring at you. For my foray into football, I arrived at Salon Centinela athletic facility on the southeast side, just as the team finished stretching. To get me started, Madison Blaze co-owner Kim Sherman outfitted me with chest and shoulder pads, then suited me up with a flaming orange jersey, and of course, the requisite helmet. Sherman and co-owner Pamela Close enterCoyote post-steamroller. With my chintained the idea of putting me in a colored strap firmly in place, Close escorted me shirt so no one would mistake me for an wayyyy out of my comfort zone and on to actual player and tackle me, but ultimately the Astroturf. decided it wasn't necessary since the team Together with Tiffany Loomis and Niwas only practicing offense. I nodded along cole Funck, Sherman and Close launched with their rationale, ignoring the premoMadison Blaze in August 2012, which revs nition of myself laid prone like Wile E. up for a new season in the spring. Today, in its first season under a new name and ownership, Madison Blaze boasts a core of veteran players, staff and four coaches. Plus, new players join every year as the Blaze works toward its mission of promoting and advancing women's football. As I scanned a field of might and muscles, I thought perhaps a quick tutorial » How the team trains: Regardless of what position an athlete plays, training involves plenty of running and conditioning. I left feeling exhilarated and drenched in sweat, and felt it for days after. 14 BRAVA Magazine What makes it pro? Madison Blaze is a member of both The Women's Football Foundation and the Independent Women's Football League. No higher level of play exists. May 2013 Who are these awesome women? They attract women of all backgrounds. One of the team's youngest players, Chelsea Alt, saw a flyer and thought it would be a great place to meet guys. After learning it was for women, she tried out anyhow and is now in her third year on the team. Can I join? Madison Blaze will hold open tryouts in October. Visit madisonblazefootball.com for more. Photo by Sarah Maughan The Dish on Madison Blaze

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