Omaha Heart To Play In Lingerie Football League

Yet another football team is coming to the metro. We’ve seen a few before and this time it involves women in the Lingerie Football League.

It’s always been known as a man’s sport, but these women are trying to change that. “Football is something I played with my stepbrothers growing up,” said Stephanie Veys, quarterback for Omaha’s all-lady football team, the Omaha Heart. “I missed being part of a team, a lot us girls used to play on teams.”

She and 19 others will join the 12-team Lingerie Football League next year. “I think it’s empowering, you get to come out and prove people wrong. People think girls aren’t tough, we can’t handle things like this and we can’t get hit. And we’re proving them wrong,” said Veys.

“You can see how competitive the girls are, how dedicated we are to the sport,” said Macy Smoyer.

The rules are the same, but the number of players on the field is different. It’s seven on seven and the women play indoors. “They hit hard, I’ve seen some footage of the other leagues playing, they really run people over, they bring the hits before they get hit,” said interim head coach Dontae Allen.

It takes a lot of commitment too, considering none of them have ever played the game. “It’s like learning a new language, we have to learn from the basics from the start and we have to be ready by spring 2013. So we’re putting a lot of work on the field,” said Smoyer.

As for the name Lingerie Football League, this is what they had to say about it. “When a lot of people hear the name it comes off as something sexual, but yeah, we’re here to play football that’s really all it’s about,” said Smoyer.

“If you can get past the name of the league, you understand that this is real football that these ladies are playing,” said Allen.

Tryouts are this Saturday at the Omaha Sports Complex from 1-3 p.m. The inaugural season for the Heart will be next year. They will play at the new Ralston Arena.

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New boutique lingerie website due to launch

Valerie and Becca Pow, from Longframlington, are behind Bella’s Blush.

The online boutique will be a ‘one-stop shop’ for lingerie in all styles, specialising in small back sizes.

It is set to boast an exclusive selection of brands from a range of suppliers providing ‘fun and elegant designs’.

The idea was initially thought up at the beginning of the year and now, after months of hard work and planning, the business dream is set to become a reality.

Nineteen-year-old Becca said: “Bella’s Blush is a one-stop shop for women and girls which will provide lingerie at an affordable price, but more unique than what is currently down the high street.

“However, Bella’s Blush will not be like any other boutique.

“We have realised that most women struggle to find well-fitting and beautifully designed lingerie, so the mission to address this became business.

“With the understanding that women with small back sizes and large cup sizes have trouble finding elegant and attractive bras to fit, this became our main focus, searching far and wide for suppliers that would cater for what young women are looking for.

“We will start our sizing at a 28 back, which means will we cater for girls who often find it hard to buy pretty lingerie on the high street.

“But, with some styles going up to 36 back size, we aim to be inclusive.”

Becca, who drove the idea forward, dropped out of university to kick-start the venture.

Having been studying business management at Sheffield she decided the time was right to launch the business.

“I was there for a year and I loved Sheffield and I passed all of my exams, but I decided I wanted to be doing business as opposed to learning about it. This is something that I have always wanted to do.”

And with the support of mum Valerie behind her, Becca insists she has the perfect business partner.

She said: “My mum and I have always been close and share a determined attitude.

“One idea lead to another and Bella’s Blush was born.

“My mum has backed me all the way and she has been very supportive.

“I couldn’t think of a better business partner for me.”

Keeping it in the family, Becca’s aunt Heather Rooney will be helping with the business’s accounts, while the boutique’s name also has its roots in the family.

Becca said: “The name fell into place as Bella is a combination of my name and my sister Ella’s name, and Blush is appropriate for buying lingerie.”

For more details, visit the company’s website – www.bellasblush.co.uk – or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BellasBlush

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