Community Corner

Pittsburgh Passion Hosts WFA Championship Weekend

Passion team member Tera McIntosh discusses the weekend lineup and what it means to be in the WFA.

Move over, boys. When the ladies of the Women’s Football Alliance visit Pittsburgh this weekend, they’ll show that football isn’t just a guys’ game.

Today, the 2012 Breaking Barriers Festival and SilverSport WFA National Championship will be held at Heinz Field.

The championship is held in a different city each year, and Pittsburgh was chosen as this year’s host for the game between the Chicago Force and the San Diego Surge. The game marks the first women’s football championship held in a professional football stadium.

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“This is such a huge step, for women’s football to move forward and play in a professional stadium,” said Tera McIntosh of Brookline, who plays offensive line for Pittsburgh Passion, Pittsburgh’s women’s football team. She is entering her third season with the team, and said it’s an honor to be part of an organization that works to break down barriers and make a difference for women in sports.

“Playing on any team is a great experience,” McIntosh said. “When you’re surrounded by people who don’t just play football, but want to make a difference, it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

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Although Pittsburgh Passion was knocked out of the championship earlier this season by the D.C. Divas, McIntosh said team members still will play an important role this weekend.

In addition to hosting the events, Pittsburgh Passion team members will play in the WFA All-Star Game at 10 a.m.

Following the All-Star Game, the Immaculate Tailgate Challenge and FanFest will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. outside of Heinz Field, and former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris will make an appearance. The championship game starts at 4 p.m. After-parties will follow on the North
Shore.

McIntosh said that although the women in the league are there to compete with each other, they’re all working toward the common goal of encouraging young girls to be confident, play sports and be positive influences.

“It definitely gives women the hope that we can all play just as equals,” she said. “It’s great to be part of an organization that really believes in equality and community and passion in sports.”

Event schedules are attached to this article as PDF documents. For more schedule details and ticket information, see the Pittsburgh Passion website. More information can also be found at the WFA National Championship Facebook page.


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