Arizona Caliente Prove that Women can Play Football

April 18, 2002 - Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
Arizona Caliente News Release


(Phoenix, AZ) The Arizona Caliente ended their Inaugural Season on February 9th, 2002 by playing in the W.A.F.L. (Women's American Football League) Pacific Conference Championship Game. While the Caliente was not successful in winning the title (which was won by the California Quake), they came away from their season very successful in so many other ways.

On the field the team ended their season with a 7-3 record and went 8-4 overall. The team's biggest accomplishment was the 7 game winning steak they went on in which they defeated all 3 Pacific Division Champions during that streak. The California Quake, which ultimately became the Pacific Conference Champions, was also the South Pacific Division Champion, which the Caliente beat during the season (1-12-02). Arizona went on to defeat the Central Pacific Division Champions, the Sacramento Sirens (1-19-02) and then faced and defeated the North Pacific Division Champions, the Seattle Warbirds, in the playoffs (2-2-02) to win their birth to the Pacific Title Game.

"We proved that playing football is not about gender," said Caliente Owner and General Manager Jennifer Cada. "These women learned the game, played it well, and earned the respect of all of those that had the opportunity to watch them in action."

The Arizona Caliente roster a very diverse group of women, ranging in ages from 19 to 44, and the group even includes 2 grandmothers in the mix. The team began in the spring of 2001 with open tryouts. Women playing full contact football was a unique opportunity that had not been offered to women in Arizona since the 1970's attempt at a women's league. The Caliente feel their season was an extension of that original venture whose time had just finally come. The popularity of women playing sports continues, and as the barriers of what women "can do" are lifted, the Caliente are proud to be taking their place in Women's Sports History.

The direction of the team has always been as a part of the bigger picture; not just giving the opportunity for women to play a few games or just one season, but as the newest and hottest local sports team who plan to be around for years to come. This may explain why their focus is on the youth and the future, emphasizing the importance of bringing football into the mainstream for young girls. They know it is important to start teaching girls the basics of football and get them interested early, because they truly feel it is no longer going to be a male dominated sport. Their work may be cut out for them as they fight stereotypes and work to prove their legitimacy, but with the help of a dedicated coaching staff, led by Head Coach Gerry Turley, they are certainly on the right track.

The Caliente are currently in their post season, working with local girls clubs and participating in youth clinics and community service projects. They were honored to be the keynote speakers at the Feb. 16th Girl Power Camp put on at Edison Elementary School in Phoenix, and will participate in an upcoming Girl Power Career Day Clinic in April.

"This year has been a success - women have had the opportunity to play a full season of football and prove it can be done." Cada concludes, "The Caliente future is bright. As we finish this season we are already working on our restructuring for next year. We will definitely be looking for more local support and have many sponsorship opportunities available. What's really nice, is that now, with a year under our belt, we have shown what we promised from the beginning - the Caliente are 'The Real Deal'."

The Arizona Caliente have been featured on local radio & TV stations, including an appearance on Channel 15's Sonoran Living, as well as received coverage in the Arizona Republic and numerous other publications. For a compete press kit, please contact Jennifer Cada at 602-679-3960.

For more information on the Caliente or to find out how you can be involved in supporting the team, please call the hotline at 602-212-HOTT (4688) or visit them online at www.WAFL-Caliente.com.



Women's Professional Football League Stories from April 18, 2002


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