Taking Strides: The Women of the Phoenix Fahrenheit Prepare to Heat up Denver




Malia Smith is showing everyone watching how to charge in and make an impact. She joined the NGFFL family via the PGFFL in 2017. One year later, her credentials rival some of the most notable veterans. She has played in two Phoenix seasons: the 4-on-4 Fall season, and the more recent 7-on-7 Spring season (where she was already voted captain). She has already travelled to two national tournaments, where she was a force for Phoenix in both, the Aloha Classic and the Sin City Shoot Out. So what’s next for Malia Smith? Well…building a women’s travel team and league for Phoenix, of course!

In one of the NGFFL’s most dominant cities, dominant through play on the field, community service, and overall leadership, there was one essential element lacking – a strong women’s presence. However, thanks to the efforts of Malia Smith, with the mentorship of her veteran brethren on the PGFFL Board, the Phoenix Fahrenheit was born.

Malia used the excitement surrounding Pride Celebrations to build excitement for the women’s team in Phoenix. The result…23 women showed up to play with her and joined the PGFFL Spring league. The ladies not only joined the PGFFL, they also committed to Gay Bowl XVIII in Denver! After the Spring Season in the PGFFL, 17 of the 23 women players remained, but they are already preparing for the challenges of the Gay Bowl tournament, practicing with and learning from the men’s travel teams on everything from game strategies to personal footwork on the field – in Phoenix, it is a family effort. With two sponsors already on board (Cash Bar and Lounge, as well as 2601 on Central) the Phoenix Fahrenheit are poised to heat things up in Denver.

While the ladies are preparing for Denver, two of their players will travel to play on a co-ed team with the Phoenix men in Chicago for Pride Bowl, Malia Smith and Kaylee Parker. Be sure to welcome the ladies to the NGFFL family should you see them in Chicago.

*More to come on the women of Phoenix as the team develops and moves forward.

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