PATERSON, NJ — Football is back in New Jersey and it’s just in time to cure your Taylor Swift post-Superbowl LIX blues.
The Jersey Shore Wave, the newest franchise in the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), is set to make history as it kicks off its first season on March 29 against the Chicago Winds in Chicago. The team will play its home games at the recently renovated Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson. The Wave joins a growing movement in professional sports to promote female representation and equality in athletics.
Team owner and WNFC Board Member Dawn Sherman expressed her enthusiasm for leading the franchise. “Owning a professional women’s tackle football team gives me the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the important role of women in sports and to address the critical issue of the pay gap for women who compete and give their all just like men,” Sherman said.
The Wave will play its home games at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, a nearly century-old venue with a storied history that includes hosting Negro League baseball in the 1930s and 40s. General Manager of the Hinchliffe Property District, Bryan Verhasselt, welcomed the team, noting that the partnership aligns with the stadium’s legacy of progress.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh praised the addition of the Wave, highlighting the team’s impact on the community. “Supporting women athletes is crucial to showcase their talent and determination and to inspire the youth of Paterson to dream big and see what’s possible,” Sayegh said in a statement.
With an ambitious goal of eventually paying its players a living wage, Jersey Shore Wave leaders are working to bring more attention to the WNFC. Team President Jared Ferko emphasized the commitment to growing the league. “At present, players in the WNFC are not paid. One of our primary goals is to pay our players a living wage,” he said.
The Wave’s inaugural season marks a significant step forward in the push for gender equity in professional sports.