Gridiron: Not just a man’s game

Posted on 11 April, 2014

More and more we’re seeing American sports making their way onto our TV screens be it baseball, ice hockey and now even roller derby.

But while the likes of these US favourites are still considered only fringe sports in Australia, it can be only said that gridiron is yet to truly make its mark on the radar.

Predominantly played in the United States with a majority of its participants sporting American passports, American football has been alive and kicking in the nation’s capital for more than 20 years and has six active men’s teams that compete over a 12-week season. But despite a strong female following locally, nationally and in the USA, it is a sport that continues to bear the title of being a man’s game.

Though men and women both enjoy it, gridiron has been traditionally played almost entirely by men. Proving we no longer live in a man’s world, the past few years has seen the debut of a number of women’s gridiron teams across Australia all determined to contest this masculine domain.

And it started right here in Canberra.

Rewind to 2011—the year gridiron suddenly became more than just touchdowns.

Unable to [mentally] get back on the field after a rugby injury saw her undergo a knee reconstruction, Danielle De Groot remembers fronting up to a very frosty training session one winter’s evening three years ago and says it was curiousity more than anything that made her turn up.

“I heard there were some girls trying to get a [gridiron] team together, so I went along to see what the hype was about,” the Tuggeranong Tornadoes quarterback says.

“I fell in love with the game and have been with my team, the Tuggeranong Tornadoes, ever since.”

But without another female team to compete against, the women could only train alongside and play scrimmage matches against their Tuggeranong Tornadoes brothers to build up their confidence on the field.

Last year, they put all they had learned into action in their first game against Victoria’s Western Foxes and claimed victory.

“Three months before the game, we only had 12 consistent players turning up to training but for the Victoria game we had a squad of about 21,” says Danielle.

“It was a memorable day for all of us, particularly those who had been there from the beginning.”

For the first time in Australian gridiron history, three female teams are competing in the 2014 Australian Gridiron League; a national competition that takes place from March 29 to May 3.

Representing the ACT as the territory’s quarterback, Danielle says it is a great way to showcase the talent and skills of women in gridiron, and encourage other women to play.

“The ACT Monarchs will be playing this Saturday against the NSW Coyotes,” she says.

“It would be great to see Canberra get behind women’s gridiron and support us at the game.”

While the sudden interest in the sport has gained more yards than this year’s Super Bowl, it’s necessary to point out that women’s gridiron should not be confused with the Legends Football League (LFL, formerly known as the Lingerie Football League); an organisation based more on sex appeal and a selection roster for physical appearance than talent and athleticism.

ACT Gridiron President, Cody Field says the League recognises the commitment and ability of LFL players and acknowledges that as a national body it is something that needs to be considered when promoting gridiron as a sport in Australia, particularly to women.

“We just don’t feel that a player in any sport needs to use a gimmick to achieve accolades or recognition for what they do,” he says.

“Gridiron is unique. There is a position for all strengths, shapes and sizes, and girls have started to catch onto the fact that anyone can play.”

While it is gridiron after all, albeit a somewhat modified version of the game, Centurions Gridiron Club President and Diamonds Mentor Coach, Peter Lilley believes the introduction of LFL to Australia has helped promote women’s participation in the sport, but says the two are vastly different.

“The LFL and women’s gridiron is like comparing WWE Wrestling to Olympic wrestling,” he says.

“One is for show and the other for sport; they still have to be athletic but it’s the show that brings people in.”

Often the first question asked, Gungahlin Wildcats Manager Samantha Patch says women’s gridiron is too readily compared to lingerie football.

“Once you tell women that they won’t be playing in their underwear, they become more interested,” the gridiron mum says.

“The women of LFL pull no punches during the game, but at the local club level women want to play football because they like the game not the attention it draws.”

In just two years, the number of women’s gridiron teams in Australia has grown dramatically from just three in 2012 to more than 20 now competing throughout the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.

ACT Gridiron will see the inauguration of four local teams into the 2014 season: the Diamonds Gridiron, Gungahlin Wildcats, Sirens Gridiron, and Tuggeranong Tornadoes.

Bringing a new sense of enthusiasm and athleticism to the sport, it doesn’t matter if you can’t run, catch or tackle. You really only need a willingness to learn.

The essentials

What: Australian Gridiron League—ACT Monarchs v NSW Coyotes
When: 11am Saturday 12 April
Where: Greenway Oval, Greenway
Entry: Gold coin donation at the gates
And: Canteen facilities will be available on the day.

All four teams are currently recruiting for the 2014 ACT Gridiron season. Contact the club of your choice directly if you’d like to register your interest.

Diamonds Gridiron Club

Peter Lilley
Email: diamondsgridiron@hotmail.com
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Region: Inner north, inner south, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra

Gungahlin Wildcats

Samantha Patch
Email: gridiron@gungahlinwildcats.org
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Region: North Canberra, Gungahlin

Sirens Gridiron Club

Email: Canberrasirens@gmail.com
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Tuggeranong Tornadoes

Email: tornadoeswomengridiron@gmail.com
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Region: South Canberra, Tuggeranong and Woden