Houston's newest women's football team, The Woodlands Wildcats, plans for 2016 debut

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Woodlands Wildcats, Houston's newest women's football team, announced plans today for their 2016 debut season. The Wildcats, based out of The Woodlands, TX, will play their home games at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, according to team president, Nat Latman.

Latman intends to help revolutionize the financial structure of women's football. Teams currently follow a "pay-to-play" model, but Latman hopes to change that by making The Woodlands Wildcats the first team where players are not required to pay in order to play for the team.

"We have come a long way in advancing women's football, but in this day and age, it is inexplicable that these women who devote their time and dedication to football, just like NFL players do, do not get paid and actually have to pay a pretty hefty fee in most cases," said Latman. "With the momentum we have right now in women's sports thanks to the World Cup, there could not be a better time to try and change the way the women's football business model works."

Through Latman's business plan, Wildcats players will actually get incentivized to be on time to practices and games, to participate in non-football team events, and to attend community service events. Latman also promises that The Woodlands Wildcats will provide gym memberships for their players and massage therapists and athletic trainers at games and practices. He stated that he plans to make this happen through sponsors and investors. League affiliation of The Woodlands Wildcats should be announced within the next 45 days, according to Latman.

The Woodlands Wildcats also announced their first signing, as legendary quarterback Laura Cantu has pledged to join the team as both the Wildcats' head coach and the team's Vice President of Football Operations. Cantu played for the Houston Energy of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) for the past 13 season and won a national championship as a member of the Dallas Diamonds in 2008.

In her remarkable career as a quarterback, Cantu:

• Started 102 games with the Houston Energy
• Played 11 games with the Dallas Diamonds, winning the IWFL national championship game in 2008
• Won five conference championships and participated in five national championship games
• Was named a league all-star in nine different season
• Won one All-Star Game MVP Award
• Earned three IWFL Offensive Player of the Year awards, and
• Received four Team MVP awards from her teammates.

"I would like to thank the IWFL, the Houston Energy, and the Dallas Diamonds for the past 13 seasons," Cantu said. "I look forward to leading the Wildcats as a head coach and to running their football operations. I am confident that with Nat running the business side, we will have a first-class organization."

"Starting a team with Laura Cantu is a dream come true," said Latman. "Laura was one of the top female quarterbacks to every play the game."

For more information about The Woodlands Wildcats, including tryout updates, please visit www.woodlandswildcats.com or email info@thewoodlandswildcats.com. To be included on our press list or for media inquiries, please email Lauren Fish at laurenfishpr@yahoo.com.

About The President:
Nat Latman is a senior level business operations professional recognized for propelling business development, market penetration, multimillion dollar revenue growth, and influencing change management strategies that bring recognition to the brand. His presence in an organization as a business modeler and operational tactician facilitates powerful new partnerships and adapts with expediency to bottom line objectives. Nat brings vitality to promotional processes and emphasizes adoption of best staffing practices. He is currently the President of Anbretin.