Women's Arena Football League

}}

}}

The '''Women's Arena Football League''' ('''WAFL''') was an 8-on-8 full contact professional [[American football]] [[Sports league|league]] based out of [[Houston, Texas]]. Founded in 2011, games were played in the spring and summer months in arenas around the [[United States]].[http://web.archive.org/web/20120307202355/http://www.waflfootball.com/ WAFL official website] The league is somewhat similar to the male-based [[Arena Football League]] and [[Indoor Football League]], but with slightly different rules as well as no goalposts or rebound nets. It began play in 2012 with six teams. The founder and league president is Ivan Tompkins, Dwayne Ware Coach and former AFL player with the [[Houston Thunderbears]] and head coach of the charter '''Houston Lady Oilers'''. Their championship game is known as the '''Diva Bowl'''.

The '''Women's Arena Football League''' ('''WAFL''') was an 8-on-8 full contact professional [[Arena football|American indoor football]] [[Sports league|league]] based out of [[Houston, Texas]]. Founded in 2011, games were played in the spring and summer months in arenas around the [[United States]].[http://web.archive.org/web/20120307202355/http://www.waflfootball.com/ WAFL official website] The league is somewhat similar to the male-based [[Arena Football League]] and [[Indoor Football League]], but with slightly different rules as well as no goalposts or rebound nets. It began play in 2012 with six teams. The founder and league president is Ivan Tompkins, Dwayne Ware Coach and former AFL player with the [[Houston Thunderbears]] and head coach of the charter '''Houston Lady Oilers'''.{{Cite web |title=Women's Arena Football League (WAFL) To Announce League, Teams and 2012 Schedule During Introduction Press Conference |url=https://www.newswire.com/news/womens-arena-football-league-wafl-to-announce-league-teams-and-2012-88230 |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=www.newswire.com |language=en}} Their championship game is known as the '''Diva Bowl'''.

The WAFL was created as a more family-friendly alternative to the rival [[Legends Football League]]. As opposed to the lingerie (later bikini wear) worn by the players in the LFL, the WAFL's players wore more traditional women's athletic gear.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeK7w3bfTPk KHOU 11 News Covers The WAFL with Coach Dwayne Ware and The Houston Lady Oilers], YouTube, June 24, 2012[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nibqbh941Jk SRL covers Houston Lady Oilers Kick Off], Sports Rapp YouTube, July 23, 2012 A bunch of volleyball, flag football, and former LFL players were playing in the league{{Cite web |last=Staffieri |first=Mark |title=Women's Arena Football League Adds New Dimension to Expanding Female Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1679557-womens-arena-football-league-adds-new-dimension-to-expanding-female-game |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}

The WAFL was created as a more family-friendly alternative to the rival [[Legends Football League]]. As opposed to the lingerie (later bikini wear) worn by the players in the LFL, the WAFL's players wore more traditional women's athletic gear.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeK7w3bfTPk KHOU 11 News Covers The WAFL with Coach Dwayne Ware and The Houston Lady Oilers], YouTube, June 24, 2012[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nibqbh941Jk SRL covers Houston Lady Oilers Kick Off], Sports Rapp YouTube, July 23, 2012 A bunch of volleyball, flag football, and former LFL players were playing in the league{{Cite web |last=Staffieri |first=Mark |title=Women's Arena Football League Adds New Dimension to Expanding Female Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1679557-womens-arena-football-league-adds-new-dimension-to-expanding-female-game |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}