What it takes to be an Intensity player

Women's football is in its infancy stages of being a career choice.  All players still have their day jobs of school teachers, engineers, coaches, marketing managers, social workers, salespersons, students and full-time mothers.  So, balancing all other commitments with football is a delicate task.

If you are seriously considering joining the Intensity, but don't know if you have what it takes, here are a few things to consider:

1. Time commitments.  Between preseason and game season, you will need to be able to commit to a majority of practices spanning 3 times per week over a 6-month period of time.  Because most people have day jobs, practices are held during the evenings during the week and once during the weekend.  Practices are usually 2-3 hours in length.  Games will be played on Saturdays (early evenings) during the season. Additional time should be dedicated to our off-season strength and conditioning program.
2. Willingness to travel. During an 8-game season we will play 4 Home games and 4 Away games.  Because we are part of the Independent Womens's Football League (IWFL) we will likely play teams spanning from DC to Montreal.  Due to the financial burden on the teams, we try to adopt a regional travel model which limits excessive travel. However, on days of Away games or during Playoffs we may have long bus trips or possible flights.
3. Good Health.  Because of the physical nature of football, one must be in good physical condition to participate.  You must not suffer from any health condition or disability, whether chronic or periodic, that would prevent you from performing any activity associated with scrimmages, practices, training, and games.  All players must have adequate medical insurance coverage and accept the risk of injury associated with participation.
4. Financial responsibility. It costs the team approximately $30K to play each year.  Only a fraction of this is achieved thru sponsorships and fundraising.  It is the responsibility of each player to raise the annual player commitments and pay any balance not riased thru player fees to participate.  Commitment obligations can be met by direct payment, dollar-for-dollar credits for $$ raised thru fundraising and sponsorships, or a combination of both.  The annual player fees for 2008 are $600 which can be spread out over 5 payment periods (Dec 1 thru April 1). In return you get access to all practices, coaches, training facilities and individually tailored training programs, team intellectual property, hands-on training on techniques and tactics, and other team benefits. You also have the opportunity to become part of the Intensity franchise history...and oh yeah, play in football games! Costs for travel to away games is at an additional cost.
5. Equipment. It is the responsibility of the player to acquire the appropriate equipment for practices, trainings, and games.  This includes helmets, pads, pants, girdles, gloves, jerseys, cleats, mouthguard, etc. 
6. Photo Release.  You will be asked to sign a photo release granting the Intensity and its affiliates the right to use any photographs and/or motion pictures for the purpose of commercial promotion of the Team as well as to meet game day film exchange obligations.

There are a lot of reasons not to play tackle football.  Contact us about why you should!