Montreal Blitz

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Montreal Blitz
Founded2001
LeagueIWFL (2001–2016)
WFA (2017)
CCWFL (2021–present)
Based inLachine, Quebec
StadiumDalbé-Viau High School
ColoursRed, black, white
     
PresidentSaadia Ashraf
Head coachPierre Migner
Championships4 (2008 & 2010 Tier II; 2012 Tier I; 2013 Founder's Bowl)
Division titles2 (2004, 2008)
Websitemontrealblitz.ca

The Montreal Blitz is a women's gridiron football team, founded in 2001, which plays Canadian football in the Central Canadian Women's Football League. Previously, the team played American football in the Independent Women's Football League (2001–2016) and in the Women's Football Alliance (in 2017).[1] They are based at Dalbé-Viau High School in the borough of Lachine, in Montreal, Quebec.

The Blitz were the only Canadian team in a women's American football league.[1] The team won four championships in the IWFL, at various levels. Their highest achievement came in 2012, when they beat the Sacramento Sirens 28–27 to become World Champions of the IWFL.[2][3][4]

History

[edit]

The Blitz were created in 2001 and joined the IWFL.[5] The team's quarterback in 2001 and 2003 was Samantha Rapoport.[6]

In 2004, quarterback Saadia Ashraf bought the team from the original owners.[7]

The team won four championships in the IWFL between 2008[8] and 2013, including the Tier I title in 2012.[2][3][4]

In 2015, the management of the team was transferred from Saadia Ashraf to Football Féminin Blitz de Montréal, a non-profit created to run the team.[9] The Blitz played in 2016 in the IWFL and in the Football Canada Women's National Championship, representing Quebec.[10][11]

In 2016, Montreal decided to leave the IWFL due to financial and travel constraints, and joined the WFA.[12][13] However, the Blitz resigned from the WFA after only one season (2017), because the league refused to allow any more games to be played in Canada.[14]

In 2021, the Blitz was a founder member of the CCWFL,[15] which began play in the 2022 season.[16]

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Women's Football Alliance is pleased..." Women's Football Alliance - Facebook. WFA. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
  2. ^ a b "Le Blitz de Montréal remporte le Championnat Mondial de l'IWFL | Football Québec". footballquebec.com (in French). Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  3. ^ a b "Montreal Blitz are the 2012 IWFL World Champions!". Iwflsports.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  4. ^ a b "Women's football season kicks off". CBC News. April 27, 2014.
  5. ^ "Independent Women's Football League (2002)". Google Sites.
  6. ^ Kryk, John (September 12, 2020). "Canadian ex-QB leads female inclusion on NFL's football side". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Montreal Blitz QB, a creator of champions". CTV News Montreal. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  8. ^ "Independent Women's Football League (2008)". Google Sites. Fall 2008.
  9. ^ "L'ÉQUIPE - Blitz de Montréal". Blitz de Montréal (in French). Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  10. ^ "Nouvelles - Blitz de Montréal". 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-11-08. Le Blitz au Championnat Canadien
  11. ^ "Défaite crève cœur contre les Sharks". Blitz de Montréal. Apr 16, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Montréal affrontera le Maine Mayhem, équipe nouvellement formée dans la IWFL
  12. ^ "Le Blitz se joint à la WFA pour 2017 - Blitz de Montréal". Blitz de Montréal (in French). 2017-01-23. Archived from the original on Feb 1, 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  13. ^ "Montreal Blitz & NY Sharks Join WFA - Women's Football Alliance". Women's Football Alliance. Archived from the original on Jun 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "Le Blitz de Montréal quitte la WFA". Blitz de Montréal. Feb 13, 2018. Archived from the original on Sep 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "O'Leary: Organizers see world of opportunity w/ women's league". CFL.ca. Jun 21, 2021. Archived from the original on Jun 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "Women's tackle football returns to Quebec, and they're looking for players". CBC News. Mar 1, 2022.
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