The number of women’s tackle football teams in the Hampton Roads region has added by one. Last month, the VA Lady Firehawks started operations with a familiar face at the helm.
Michael Smith, who honed his coaching chops as the offensive coordinator of the Hampton Roads Lady Gators, aims to bring something different to the mix as the coach and co-owner (with wife Arica).
“I had a great run with a great Lady Gators team that is well run by a good owner,” said Smith, whose team will compete in the same USWFL (United States Women’s Football League) that the Gators captured as champions in its second season.
“But my vision is deep, and passion is strong where I feel the best way to help empower women and give them THEIR TEAM is to start one! Our vision is to uplift and build from the ground up and give them a base foundation.”
Continuing, Smith adds, “The Lady Firehawks organization want to be the positive, the outlet, the brand and the standard for women’s football. We want to provide an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We are driven, turn all negatives into positives, and give (our players) a place to call home through organization and structure.”
For the Smiths, this order will be driven with a coaching staff drawn from the Gators and built over the past decade.
“We will compete with some of the best coaches that take the players interest to heart, and build this game for all women regardless of race, religion, and location. Our coaching staff has been together since our 14U youth championship team, and the same staff helped the Lady gators to their first championship. The Firehawks will be the new normal for women’s football in Hampton Roads. Regardless of whether we win, lose, or draw, we are driven to make everyone successful in all phases of women’s football,” adds Smith.
Virginia Peninsula Sports will follow with more roster and schedule details as they emerge. The Hawks have been successful in gathering players, but still have some roster spots to fill. For more information, the team has a Facebook page @valadyfirehawks, and can also be found on Instagram at @va_lady_firehawks.
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