Shortly after learning of the LFL early last, year my husband was offered a transfer to the USA by his employer. Being relatively young and child-less, apart from our two fur-babies (dogs), we naturally jumped at the wonderful opportunity to live abroad.
We arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – the home of Harley-Davidson, Miller Beer and the land of cheese and brats – in late March, just in time to be spoilt with back-to-back summers.
Barely two weeks after our arrival, the Green Bay Chill held their first tryout for the upcoming 2013 season. Despite my extremely limited exposure to American football (which consisted of watching The Longest Yard, Remember the Titans and the like) I was selected for the team.
I’m certain this was solely based on my 40 yard dash time – lucky I can run.
My sporting background consisted of track and field, including the woman’s Stawell Gift, surf lifesaving (beach sprinting), touch football and a little boxing. All fare me well for strength and speed, but there remains much to learn.
The Chill is coached by Green Bay Packer hall of famer Gilbert Brown, who is an absolute icon in Wisconsin. His passion for football and competitive nature quickly became evident.
However it did take me a little while to become accustomed to all the yelling that goes on at training and certain traditions such as ‘taking a knee’ when being addressed by coach!
The coaching dynamic is worlds apart from what I’ve been accustomed to with individual sport. It amazes me that such a busy and high profile figure has the time and patience to dedicate to our team. Somehow he fits in training sessions between his commitments to his foundation, which supports 144 charities.
I am also lucky to have such inspiring, athletic and lovely women as team mates.
Many are wives, some are mothers, many are professionals – we have a nurse, school teacher, graphic designer, interior designer, a handful of personal trainers and I am a medical sonographer.
Some foster children and are heavily involved in their communities and all of us stem from some kind of semi-professional sporting background.
Now for the controversy: on the 9th of January, 2013, the LFL announced the details of the league’s rebranding.
The acronym ‘LFL’ remains, however the ‘Lingerie Football League’ has now become ‘Legends Football League’.
No more lingerie. Out goes the underwear element.
Judging on the responses from fans on social media the reaction to the name change has been somewhat mixed.
It is obviously not as obvious as ‘lingerie’ was, however I feel with a little time for the dust to settle the new name will sink in.
In conjunction with a new broadcast deal with ESPN (rather than MTV), a number of changes have been made to the young and evolving league.
For me, and among a lot of players, the uniform changes were welcomed with open arms. To the great relief of many of the fans – yes – the skimpy factor does remain.
However, gone are the frills, bows, garters and chokers which were – let’s face it – rather impractical and intentionally distracting novelty items to adorn whilst playing hard hitting football.
The new uniforms (whilst still a sports bra and shorties) are simple and sporty, and even boast a couple of speed stripes!
Another significant addition is new shoulder pads – which are much like the men’s practice pads and certainly much more substantial, providing more protection than the foam version worn in previous years.
It cannot be denied that the LFL would not be where it is today without the novelty factor of lingerie, which has always naturally evoked controversy. However, due to the sheer athleticism of players, this sport is evolving and there is a widespread desire to be taken a little more seriously.
When I reply “I play football” to the commonly asked question “you look athletic – what do you do?” the following responses generally follow: “No, it’s football, not soccer; it’s full contact, 7 on 7 arena football; yes actually it is the Lingerie Football League….”
*insert awkward silence here.
I generally don’t usually volunteer the minor lingerie detail upfront when asked, purely due to my inherent insecurities of being instantly judged!
Having said that, to my delight I have been bowled over by the amount of pride, interest and support I have received from my family, friends, workmates and beyond and I am extremely excited to be apart of such a rapidly expanding sport.
The Roar welcomes Anna Heasman to our expert panel. Anna is originally from the wider Newcastle area, before taking up an offer to take her athletic skills to the Lingerie Football League.
Anna is a rookie player for the Green Bay Chill LFL team, and works professionally as a Sonographer in a medium sized hospital in Milwaukee. Anna always tries find a balance between sporting commitments and work life, and follows many sports – including rugby, tennis, track and field, and has fallen in love with American football.
Josie
Guest
Hi Anna, i just came across your story. I am interested in playing this sport in Australia, however i don't have any professional athlete background. Would this be a problem? However i am willing to put in the effort and work to be eligible to become a player and whatever it takes. What are some of your advice for me please. Would much appreciated :)
Go Get Em Roos
Guest
Gee Anna, looking at you is like looking into a mirror. Except that I'm a 95 kg male with a winter coat. But, yeah, that aside, we could be twins.
albatross
Roar Pro
>>LFL is akin to what 7′s is for Rugby. That's the answer then - dress the players in both the mens and wimmins versions in bras and suspender belts. However, personally, I am with Dr Johnson on women playing either LFL or sevens or 15/13s that it is "is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all."
me too
Guest
'ladies football league' would seem a more obvious choice.
Anna Heasman
Expert
Thanks Dan!!
Anna Heasman
Expert
Many thanks for the support!!
Anna Heasman
Expert
Thanks Ned. Yes we certainly train an play hard. It is a difficult balance - to play a traditionally male dominated contact sport..without daring to appear too masculine....or the the LFL's case on the other end of the spectrum. I don't see the the celebration of a healthy, athletic female figure is a negative thing though considering the bombardment of body image issues women face.
Anna Heasman
Expert
Aww....thanks Mum.x
Anna Heasman
Expert
I've read a number of comments along those lines B-Rock. Legends sounding like a fantasy league or a bunch of old blokes tearing hammy's left, right and centre! It's funny my first thought was in the Aussie sense as in 'you bloody legend'...translation 'your actions deem you an amazing human being' - pretty sure that's not what the league was going for, but that's what I'm running with!
c
Guest
i wil miss the lingerie’
Chris Chard
Expert
Hi Anna and Welcome to the Roar I have to agree with yourself and big Ned above that the athleticism of some of the players involved with LFL is off the charts. Having gone along to their training to do some media work for the QLD Brigade LFL side I left pretty glad that I'd forgotten my footy boots, what with them spending a good couple of hours on a muggy Gold Coast morning running themselves ragged. A lot of the players in the side have a personal training background and seem to be hell bent on destroying the opposition, and I can see more than just a few bruised egos when the LFL Australia comp kicks off! All the best with Green Bay and the Chill CC
Bones506
Roar Guru
Respect. I am an avid NFL/College Ball follower. LFL is akin to what 7's is for Rugby. It is a fast and furious game and requires a lot of physical capabilities. The Lingerie was a great gimic to spark interest but in an age where scantly clad women are easily accessible via a multitude of platforms, the LFL has endured. And that is due to the physical prowess of the players and the excitement of the game. If the NFL tried a similiar game it would be very popular I would think. I wish you all the best for the season(s) ahead.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
99% of men would pay a to of money for these abs. Nice story btw.
Ned Balme
Roar Guru
I have personally helped out with some volunteer coaching with the an Australian LFL team and I can say comfortably that: a) The coaching staff are incredible and primarily want to WIN first, being seen as attractive takes no priority. b) These girls train their arses off every session, many of whom have legs which seem more or less constantly bruised these days. c) I have personally held pads for these girls as they are going through hitting' drills and they bring a level of intensity that seems to be lost even in Australian professional sports. The name change is a great move for the fast growing sport in the States and I see it as a great contact sport that allows women to keep their femininity without being lumped in with the ignorant "butch" category that seems to be so casually dumped on those that play rugby and football.
dinoweb
Roar Guru
Personally I watched a couple of minutes of the LFL to see the skimpily attired women, but stayed watching for much longer because of the quality of the play. I was expecting a bunch of model types flouncing around, and worried about breaking a nail, and playing like a bunch of, well, girls. I was pleasantly surprised to see how wrong I was. I think if the only thing the LFL had going for it was the uniforms, it would not be any where near as popular as it has become. The uniforms certainly don't hurt, but it's the obvious "no holds bared" approach of the athletes playing that has really grabbed the attention. Not so fussed on the name change. Don't mind changing it, but "Legends" just doesn't sound right to me. Regardless, good luck with the new sport.
christian
Guest
Briant better watch out!
Helena Heasman
Guest
As proud parents, we've always been in awe of Anna's sporting achievements and never so much as now with her selection for a national football team. To educate ourselves about the sport, we attended an exhibition game at Allphones Stadium in Sydney last year. It was a packed house of mainly 16-30 year old males whose behaviour sadly deteriorated during the course of the game (with the aid of excess alcohol). We were pretty shocked by the skimpy and provocative 'uniform' but could appreciate the athleticism and skills of the players. So yes - I for one am pleased that the lingerie thing has been ditched and the emphasis will now be on the game and not the frills and suspenders.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Like the idea to shift away from the gimmicks but not sure about the "Legends" name... Conjours up ideas of ex-NFL players running around long after they should be.
B.A Sports
Guest
Good story. Thanks I like the name change, I think it will help give the league more legitamicy. Did the league change names then get picked up by ESPN, or the other way around? I am guesing that as ESPN is Disney, the "lingerie" aspect possibly didn't sit well with some of the muckty mucks. Go Chill!
Pete
Guest
I also like the change of name and this was a great article. Good Luck as a member of the Chill . Sure you will do well !