“Sometimes you learn the most from your failures…” declared Julie Ertz, a professional soccer player who plays for the National Women's Soccer League club Angel City FC and the United States women's national team. She’s also the author of the inspirational book, “Chase Your Dreams: How Soccer Taught Me Strength, Perseverance and Leadership”.
            Julie has been playing professionally since 2014, won U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019 and was part of two World Cup-winning sides in 2015 and 2019.
           However, after having been out of the league and not playing for two years due to injuries and then the birth of her son Madden in August 2022, she has had many challenges to overcome to get back into top playing shape in order to be ready to compete in the 2023 World Cup.
            Earlier this season, the United States Women’s National team, managed by Vlatko Andonovski, decided to focus on its youngest of players which include Naomi Girma (23) and Sophia Smith (22). This leaves eldest player Megan Rapinoe (38) left with minimal involvement. Fortunately, Ertz went on to strike up a hugely effective partnership alongside Naomi Girma, with the U.S. conceding just one goal in four matches during the 2023 FIFA World Cup Tournament. But it wasn’t enough.
            After the United State lost 5-4 to Sweden due to penalties in the Women’s World Cup Round of 16, forward Alex Morgan (34) and Julie Ertz (31) were both asked about their USWNT futures.
            “It’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest”, announced Julie.
            This all falls on the heels of the announcement Megan Rapinoe made before the season even began that she would be retiring herself at the end of the 2023 season.
            This undoubtedly means that next year the U.S. Women’s National Team will look very different. But fortunately, just like with the birth of Julie’s son Madden, not all changes are bad and changes in the game plan certainly don't make one a failure.
            Because as Ertz has said, “Sometimes you learn the most from your failures…The future is in absolutely great hands.”

            So, I know I’m a bit late to the party. But, I recently discovered the Women’s Football Alliance- a U.S. based women’s tackle football league. I sadly did not discover this female empowering awesomeness until literally just a couple weeks before their Championship Playoff game that happened on July 22, 2023- and I am so incredibly disappointed that I missed out on watching and supporting these passionate, strong, talented ladies during their 2023 season.
            But thank God, there’s always next year! Better late than never, right?
            For those previously unaware like myself; the Women’s Football Alliance is a professional full-contact Women’s American Football tackle league consisting of 60 active Pro, Division 2 and Division 3 teams, respectively. It was founded in 2009 by Jeff King and Lisa Gibbons King. Lisa King is also a wide receiver for the WFA’s Cali War team.
            The 2023 Women’s Football Alliance PRO Championship Games happened on July 21 and 22, 2023 at the Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. For the 5th year in a row, the Boston Renegades won the Championship, this year against the St. Louis Slam. The games were viewable on ESPN2 and the Women’s Sports Network.
            Don’t be like me and miss out on this empowering and fun league. Their next season will begin in April 2024. So, keep an eye out for that. I know I will be.

Contributed by:
Tiffany Grand
@tiffanygmedia
www.tiffanygrandmedia.com

 “What if the best players in the world created their own league?”
           
           That’s the question asked at the launch of the Twitter page for UNRIVALED – a new WNBA All-Star League consisting of the top 30 players, started by Breanna Stewart (Forward for the New York Liberty) and Napheesa Collier (Forward for the Minnesota Lynx). Formed as an alternative for players who don’t want to play overseas in the off-season, it allows WNBA athletes who want to remain in the U.S. to make supplementary income beyond their regular WNBA salary.  
            “We remain committed to the WNBA, however there’s a problem that exists, which is players having to choose whether to play overseas to maximize earnings in the winter or stay home with family. We’ve decided to create our own solution,” Collier tweeted. “Stewie & I both have daughters. It’s our responsibility to show them & every young girl that looks up to us that sometimes you don’t have to wait your turn. You can either beg for a seat at the table or you can build your own table. We’re building our own table.”
            Currently, there’s a “Prioritization Rule” in place for the WNBA that states players must return from overseas by May 19, otherwise they become ineligible to play in the upcoming season. With most international seasons not ending until May, this puts a lot of talented players at risk of being shut out.
            The season for the new league is expected to run from January through March. A typical WNBA season runs from May through September. This Women’s All-Star League will consist of 30 players and make up six Franchise teams that will play games of three-on-three and one-on-one at a soundstage in Miami Florida.
            Unfortunately, money will be a huge part determining whether Unrivaled succeeds or not. For the new league to work, Stewart and Collier must raise enough money in sponsorships and private funding to make it beneficial for players to want to stop playing overseas. Thankfully, the players they've approached so far have shown excitement for the potential new domestic off-season league- that is assuming the promised vision and salary for the single-site league comes to fruition.
            “Like any league, we are an entertainment commodity.” elaborated Napheesa. “The league will feature an innovative style of 3v3 played on a shortened full-court. More spacing, more scoring, & shorter games. Highly entertaining & competitive with the top talent in the world.”
            “It’s the ability for players to stay home, to be in a market like Miami where we can just be the buzz and create that with the best WNBA players,” Stewart told ESPN.
            “I think we’re in such a special time right now.” commented Collier. “People are really finally starting to see the value of women’s sports.”   

- contributed by Tiffany Grand
@tiffanygmedia
www.tiffanygrandmedia.com

            On June 11, 2023, Sue Bird, the number 1 WNBA Draft Pick in 2002 to the Seattle Storm, has officially retired her #10 jersey. After 21 years in the WNBA- the 12 time WNBA All-Star, 5 time Olympic Gold Medalist, and 5 time EuroLeague Champion with literally DOZENS of other impressive accolades- gave a beautiful, thoughtful, 1 hour and 32 minute speech to conclude 3 decades worth of an impressive athletic career.
            The monumental event included performances by recording artist Macklemore and a speech by her partner, professional soccer player, Megan Rapinoe.         
            “There is no one like you. You’re everything on the court that everyone could ever wish to be. All of the dreams that little kids have, you’ve done it all,” a tearful Rapinoe said in her speech. “You’ve given everybody this beacon for all of these years. How to be. How to carry yourself. How to treat people…”
            “That’s what has made this all so wonderful. To feel seen and safe here, whether it was with the ball in my hands on the floor, or me out in the community, I could always be my ever-evolving self.” said Bird toward the conclusion of her speech. “As I’ve said, Seattle wasn’t always home, but that’s exactly what it became.”