by Jenine J. Ikeler
staff writer
The Philadelphia Liberty Belles are the newest team to join the National Women’s Football league, Inc NWFL. The NWFL is getting ready to expand. They already have teams popping up in Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, Pensacola, Louisville, Lexington, Memphis, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cleveland, Columbus, and Richmond. The owner/General Manager of the Liberty Belles is Marie Olsen. Olsen is neither an athlete nor a player; she simply has a love of the game.
Cabrini’s Aquatic Director and adjunct faculty member Colleen Poole has recently become a Lady Belle. Poole first learned about the NWFL when her husband noticed an ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer and encouraged her to try out. Poole had a life long interest in football. However, she never imagined she would be able to take it to the next level.
” When I was a young, girls never had a chance to play professional sports, with the exception of golf and tennis. After college, there really was not an opportunity to be involved professionally in sports unless you were coaching,” said Poole.
With the explosion of women’s professional sports today, Poole’s dream is becoming a reality; however it was not easy to get there. Poole had to endure a series of tryouts that tested the applicants’ speed, agility and strength. The NWFL will start its regular season on April 21, 2001. Poole will not be playing this season due to a neck injury. However she will stay active with the team by supporting her teammates every step of the way and will participate next season.
Being that the team is just getting underway, they will not be paid this season but next year they will hopefully bring in $100 per game. The league is currently looking for potential owners and coaches. If you or anyone you know may be interested, contact Catherine Masters, NWFL President, at 615-860-4084 or go online at www.ladybelles.co
