For women who love football, The Seattle Majestics are a dream come true. As a part of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL), the professional women’s team boasts “real women” playing “real football” — this isn’t your homecoming powderpuff game. The team is gearing up for the 2011 season with tryouts this Saturday at Franklin High School, and CHS had a chance to interview a few of the players who live and work on the Hill.

“There aren’t many examples when an individual can actually say out loud, ‘I was able to live the dream,'” says Majestics part-owner Camille Head. “Knowing that we can now give this opportunity to young girls & adults alike is a reward in and of itself.”

Head should know; She became part-owner after the 2006 season after a year of playing and continued to play through 2010. She co-owns the Majestics with teammate Heather Gallemore and graciously answered our questions, along with linebacker Jenn “Favorite thing about football: Hitting people” Brown.

What happens at a typical Majestics game? 

CH: We win some, lose some, we play hard, we fight for each other, we argue with one another, we take one play at a time, we hit hard, we overcome adversity, we sweat, we bleed, fans tailgate, cheer and boo – We call it FOOTBALL!!!

How did you decide to play football? Did you have any football experience prior to this?

CH: I learned there was a team/league when I moved here from San Francisco, contacted the owner, attended a team meeting the following week, and didn’t miss a practice for years. I played flag-football here and there throughout my adult years, though nothing formal.  Growing up with four older brothers helped thicken my skin, learn the backyard rules, and fend for myself as my size didn’t exude “powerhouse.”

JB: I have always wanted to play football, but growing up in the Midwest, there was no opportunity for me while I was in high school to play. I went to a smaller college, so there was no chance there either. When I moved to Seattle almost nine years ago, I heard about the Majestics but did not think I could play on the professional level, having no experience. So three years ago I was looking for a rec team to play on, but there were no rec teams and the only other football team in town was the Majestics. I emailed the player rep at the time to see if she knew of any rec teams. Through the course of a few emails, she convinced me to come to tryouts. It was that day that ignited a passion for the game and opened the door for me follow a dream I never thought I could have.

Tryouts are this week, and the site says that no experience is necessary.  Can an untrained athlete learn football well enough to play in just a few months? 

CH: Good coaches can teach anyone the game, the desire & heart lives inside the athlete.

JB: Absolutely! We teach the entire sport to newcomers every year. The game is complicated, but we spend tons of time on the basics. We teach everyone how to hit, run, catch, throw and kick. No experience is needed! You just have to have heart!

You’re professionals, yet you have to pay to play.  That seems to demand a tremendous amount of personal sacrifice. How have you been able to do it? 

CH: It’s unfortunate that in women’s football, athletes are burdened with overcoming the financial hurdle, while our counter-parts negotiate obnoxious salaries.  That speaks volumes for just how passionate these ladies are just to have the opportunity to suit up and walk those white lines. We fundraise, give players tools to raise money for their expenses, and continue to look for sponsors to help fund for the team’s success.

JB: It does take a lot of sacrifice, for sure. The team has numerous ways of helping individuals through fundraising ideas, tickets sales, etc. The physical demands are always very high. Practices are three times a week, and this includes two weeknight practices and one Saturday practice. I work full time, am getting married in seven months, am in school and will still commit to upcoming season (AND CAN”T WAIT FOR IT!!!). It take a little determination in the spirit, to say the least. I tell people all the time, “I can teach you how to play football, but I cannot give you the passion to play.” That has to be in the person already. You gotta have heart. Football is violent. It takes a lot of time and money. There has to be something driving you to sacrifice that much! I take the game very seriously. And on that field I will do whatever it takes to help us all succeed!

As a Capitol Hill resident, have you had much support from the community? 

CH: We’ve established a good relationship with The Wildrose & The BottleNeck Lounge through cross-promoting and fundraising.  Expanding support is definitely on our radar, even it’s just creating awareness and becoming fans of the Seattle Majestics!

JB: We have a small fan base. We have struggled to get the word out every year, about the team and about the season. We are heading into our milestone 10th Season as the Majestics organization, and commonly we hear, “I didn’t know there was a professional women’s team in town.” We would love help in getting the word out! Our practices start in January with games running from April through June. 

What does it take to be a Majestic? 

CH: Hard work, dedication, and the desire to play tackle football – the rest falls into place!  I encourage all interested ladies to give it a try, if it’s not for you, you will know right away. Otherwise, you will fall in love with the game all over again – just like I did.

JB: Well, you need to have some sort of athletic drive in you. Practices are long and hard. Many a tear has been shed during a practice. And you have to have heart. There needs to be a fire in you that drives you to not only to succeed, but come alongside your teammate, pick them up when they are down, help them tape up their injuries, encourage them when they think they can’t go on, and stand beside them when we lose. It takes a lot physically, but most definitely it takes a lot emotionally and mentally. The team becomes your family every year. My closest friends are my teammates. I have, and continue to stand beside them through the thick and thin, battered and bruised, always pushing towards victory.

To register for Saturday’s tryouts/training camp, visit http://seattlemajestics.eventbrite.com. For more information about the team, including game schedule, ticket and sponsorship info, visit http://www.theseattlemajestics.com. Home games are played around the Seattle area. Stay tuned for the 2011 schedule.