Women's American Football in Israel (WAFI) was founded by Steve Leibowitz in 2004, when he noticed a group of young girls throwing around a football as they watched a men's game. He approached the girls and asked them if they would be interested in playing. Steve mentioned that there was an international tournament taking place in the Dominican Republic and it would be great to send a women's team
to join the men. The girls were excited about the possibility of playing and representing Israel - this was the beginning of the Israel Women's National Flag Football team, but it was also the start of WAFI. After the girls returned from the Dominican, they formed a four team league and began to teach other players so that they too would become productive members of WAFI. Today, WAFI is 14 teams strong with over 200 women competing in both fall and spring leagues. The national team continues to work hard and develop with each year. Coached by Yonah Mishaan, the national team is made up of 12 women who train year round for tournaments throughout Europe. They started off as young inexperienced players, but over the years they have developed their skills and talents to be one of the most recognized teams in women's international flag football.
