The Gridiron Women Football League (GWFL) 2019 2nd National Championship calendar commenced Sunday, September 8th with 2018 1st National Champions, the Bulldogs Flames F.A. of San Jose paired against the runner-up challengers, Valkarias F.A. from the southern district of Perez Zeledon.
Players were fueled with enthusiasm!
The first run touchdown of the season opener game came early in the 1st quarter by Valkirias multi-position player Jessica Gamboa #28 followed by Flames WR Hazell ‘Gata’ Salazar #26 run into the end zone. A 2-point conversion proceeded the touchdown by Flames QB Gloriana ‘Glory’ Villalobos #21.
Flames continued to dominate the field when stand-out player RB Kennia “Chume” Walters #32 scored her first run touchdown and 2-point conversion of the game.
Valkirias eager to gain some points in the 4th quarter was rescued by Jessica Gamboa #28 when she scored another run touchdown plus a 2-point conversion.
Tensions were high with the Flames 16 – Valkirias 14 score nearing the end of the game.
Flames player Kennia “Chume” Walters #32 repeated her magic by closing-out the game with a final run touchdown and 2-point conversion.
Final Score: Flames 24 – Valkirias 14
Featured in the photo from left to right are Head Coaches, Martin (Pana) Gutierrez, Danny Monney and Charlie Avila.
A press conference and presentation was held on August 30th for the newly formed Gridiron Women Football League and the 3 teams competing in the calendar.
This season, the league will field the same three teams that participated in the 2018 calendar:
PZ VALKIRIAS F.A. (black/purple),
SJ GODDESSES CR F.A. (white/gold/teal)
Bulldogs FLAMES F.A. (black/blue)
The new Gridiron Women Football League is formally known as Asociación Deportiva Mujeres Football Americano.
Head Coach, Charlie Avila of Bulldogs Flames F.A.
Bulldogs Flames is going into the 2019 season with 29 players, the youngest being 16 years old and the oldest 52 years old. Great group of women who had been working very hard on and off the field to be in their best shape for this tournament. Lots of new faces for this season with promising talent. Our strength is the unity of the team, we are truly a family.
Best of wishes to all teams and their women who have the courage to put on pads and helmets to show that football is not just a men’s sport.
Be on the lookout for the success of women football in Costa Rica.
Head Coach, Martin (Pana) Gutierrez of Valkirias F.A.
Valkirias in its 2019 season of Gridiron Women Football League is prepared after 8 months of both physical and technical training. Esteban Artavia, a local player with the Southern Knights F.A. team has joined Valkirias as a coach with good knowledge of the sport.
Teamwork is synonymous with success!
Valkirias now has 20 players this season and with the combination of last year’s players and new blood.
The age range is 15 years to 37 years among the players.
The outstanding player is WR/RB/FS Jessica Gamboa #28 who is the youngest player (16 years) of the National Tournament and who last year obtained 15 touchdowns in her efforts.
Valkirias is renewed and with a new image this year.
The 9-week calendar with playoff on November 17th and final on November 24th is being played with Arena 8v8 rules.
Check out the 2018 Costa Rica Inaugural Women’s Championship Calendar Gets Underway Article