Polish American Football League
Current season, competition or edition: 2014 PLFA season | |
Sport | American football |
---|---|
Founded | October 2006 |
CEO | Jędrzej Stęszewski |
Inaugural season | 2006 season |
No. of teams |
8 (Topliga) 10 (PLFA I) 21 (PLFA II) 20 (PLFA8) 17 (PLFAJ) |
Country | Poland |
Most recent champion(s) | Seahawks Gdynia |
Most titles | Warsaw Eagles, The Crew Wrocław, Seahawks Gdynia (2 titles) |
Founder | PZFA |
Official website | plfa.pl |
The Polish American Football League or shortly PLFA (Polish: Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego) is a structured system for the American football competitions in Poland founded in 2006 by Polish federation PZFA. In 2012 the Topliga was created as a major league with a bid (invitation) rule. Remaining teams is divided into two leagues (PLFA I and PLFA II) between which there is promotion and relegation. There are two eight-man football competitions: PLFA 8 for reserve teams and smaller clubs, and PLFA J for under-17 players.
The top four teams from the Topliga regular season enter the playoffs and the winners meet in the championship game called the SuperFinał (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl). PLFA I championship game is called the PLFA Cup Game.
In the 2013 season there were 74 teams in 5 leagues. 57 teams played 11-man football (8 teams in the Topliga, 8 teams in the PLFA I and 21 teams in the PLFA II) and other 37 teams played 8-man football competitions: 20 senior teams and 17 junior teams). TopLiga and PLFA I are divided into two divisions, PLFA II three divisions; PLFA 8 and PLFAJ five divisions for the geographical reason.
History
American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland, appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was set in Warsaw. The Polish American Football Association (Polish: Polski Związek Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly PZFA) was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding, was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland.
The first game between Polish teams (still without professional equipment) was played in December 2005 in Poznań. The historic game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in a game played in Warsaw. From that moment on teams began to develop in different parts of the country.
Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008 the league split into two divisions - PLFA I (8 teams) and PLFA II (9 teams). There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for the 2010 season. 2011- 34 teams, 2012- 42 teams, 2013- 74 teams.
Season structure
Regular season in the Topliga is started in March/April and ended in June/July. Each team plays nine games against each team once (4 or 5 home games and 5 or 4 away games). A team is awarded 2-points for a win, 1-point for a tie, and 0-points for a loss (tie only if the overtime can not be played). After a regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs (1st place against 4th place and 2nd against 3rd) and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called SuperFinal; there is no 3rd place game.
Game rules
Playing rules are based on those of the NCAA College football with minor modifications, e.g.:
- 12-minutes quarter
- minimum field markings
- unsportsmanlike conduct for excessive celebrations after plays, similar to the NFL rules
- no Instant replay
Rules are adopted with a one-year delay. For example, 2011 NCAA game rule changes was adopted for 2012 PLFA season.
Before 2012 coaches, players and officials used the English-language NCAA Rulebook. In February 2012, Rulebook was translated for Polish language by Officiating Department chairman.[1]
Champions
Season | PLFA I | PLFA II | — | PLFA 8 (8v8) | — |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Warsaw Eagles | — | — | — | — |
2007 | The Crew Wrocław | — | — | — | — |
2008 | Warsaw Eagles | Lowlanders Białystok | — | — | — |
2009 | Silesia Miners | Zagłębie Steelers | — | — | — |
2010 | Devils Wrocław | Bielawa Owls | — | — | — |
2011 | The Crew Wrocław | Warsaw Spartans | — | Warsaw Eagles B | — |
Season | Topliga | PLFA I | PLFA II | PLFA 8 (8v8) | PLFA J (under-17, 8v8) |
2012 | Seahawks Gdynia | Warsaw Spartans | Tychy Falcons | Seahawks Gdynia | Warsaw Eagles |
2013 | Giants Wrocław | Husaria Szczecin | Królewscy Warszawa | Zagłębie Steelers | Bielawa Owls |
2014 | Seahawks Gdynia | Husaria Szczecin | Silesia Rebels | Warsaw Eagles C | Panthers Wrocław |
2015 |
Teams
Current
League | Team | City | Joined | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Topliga | Panthers Wrocław (former Giants+Devils) | Wrocław | 2013 | |
Warsaw Eagles | Warsaw | 2006 | ||
Seahawks Gdynia | Gdynia | 2006 | ||
Warsaw Sharks (former Spartans+Królewscy) | Warsaw | 2007 | ||
Kozły Poznań | Poznań | 2007 | ||
Zagłębie Steelers | Będzin | 2008 | ||
Lowlanders Białystok | Białystok | 2008 | ||
Husaria Szczecin | Szczecin | 2008 | ||
PLFA I | N | Angels Toruń | Toruń | 2012 |
Cougars Szczecin | Szczecin | 2012 | ||
Crusaders Warszawa | Warsaw | 2013 | ||
Seahawks Sopot (former Sabercats) | Sopot | 2012 | ||
Wilki Łódzkie | Pabianice | 2012 | ||
S | Kraków Kings (former Knights) | Kraków) | 2013 | |
Tychy Falcons | Tychy | 2008 | ||
Saints Częstochowa | Częstochowa | 2011 | ||
Silesia Rebels (former Miners) | Katowice | 2007 | ||
Tytani Lublin | Lublin | 2008 | ||
PLFA II | N | Bydgoszcz Archers | Bydgoszcz | 2009 |
Dragons Zielona Góra | Zielona Góra | 2010 | ||
Green Ducks Radom | Radom | 2014 | ||
Mustangs Płock | Płock | 2008 | ||
Olsztyn Lakers | Olsztyn | 2012 | ||
Patrioci Poznań | Poznań | 2013 | ||
Warsaw Dukes | Warsaw | 2015 | ||
Wikingowie Gdańsk | Gdańsk | 2015 | ||
S | Bielawa Owls | Bielawa | 2008 | |
Broncos Sucha Beskidzka | Broncos | 2011 | ||
Gliwice Lions | Gliwice | 2009 | ||
Outlaws Wrocław | Wrocław | 2013 | ||
Rybnik Thunders | Rybnik | 2012 | ||
Silvers Olkusz | Olkusz | 2012 | ||
Skoczów Pretorians | Skoczów | 2012 | ||
Wolverines Opole | Opole | 2013 | ||
Former
Team | City | Years active |
---|---|---|
Czerwone Byki Poznań | Poznań | 2008-10 |
Scyzory Kielce | Kielce | 2009-10 |
Torpedy Łódź | Łódź | 2008-11 |
Radom Rocks | Radom | 2009 |
The Crew Wrocław | Wrocław | 2006-11 |
Fireballs Wielkopolska | Poznań | 2006-11 |
Warriors Ruda Śląska | Ruda Śląska | 2009-11 |
See also
References
- ↑ "Przepisy futbolu amerykańskiego ... po polsku!" (in Polish). pzfa.pl. 11 Feb 2012. Retrieved 17 Nov 2012.
- ↑ http://en.plfa.pl/tables/8
- ↑ http://en.plfa.pl/
External links
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