Football runs deep here. On Friday nights, stadium lights glow. On Saturdays and Sundays, conversations revolve around depth charts and rivalries. Now, a new chapter is kicking off.
The Port City Pirates are launching a women’s semi-pro tackle football team in Mobile, and they are building it from the ground up. Helmets. Pads. Full contact. The kind of football that demands grit and rewards discipline.
The Pirates will compete against teams from Texas, Louisiana, and Memphis, bringing fresh matchups and new energy to the schedule. Their home opener is set for May 2, a date that already feels circled in bold.
This is organized, competitive football with structure and purpose. Practices are underway. Tryouts are open. A roster is forming. And with each snap, the idea becomes more real.
Open Tryouts Underway at Maitre Park
The Pirates are holding open tryouts every Thursday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Maitre Park on Halls Mill Road.
Anyone who has ever wanted to strap on pads and test their skills now has a clear path to do it. No long résumé required. Show up. Put in the work. Compete.
Weekly tryouts create a steady rhythm. Players can step in, learn the system, and grow into it. Coaches evaluate speed, strength, football IQ, and attitude. Effort matters. So does commitment.
Maitre Park is quickly becoming a hub of activity, with whistles blowing and drills running as the roster takes shape. Each practice adds another layer of chemistry and confidence.
Built on a Strong Football Foundation
Head Coach Andrew Thomas and owner Donald Harris believe the timing is right.
Mobile has long carried a reputation for producing high-level football talent. From college standouts to NFL veterans, the area consistently sends athletes to the next level. That culture sets a strong foundation for a new women’s program.
Thomas and Harris say the goal is simple: create the same opportunity for women that men have enjoyed for decades. The infrastructure is here. The passion is here. The audience understands the game.
With regional opponents already lined up, the Pirates will test themselves against established programs in Texas, Louisiana, and Memphis. Those road trips and home games will shape the team’s identity in its first season.
More Than a Game
For players like Utahara Green, football delivers intensity and connection.
She describes the sport as thrilling, demanding, and deeply rewarding. Practices push endurance. Games test focus. Teammates become a support system that extends beyond the field.
Football builds accountability. It requires trust in the person next to you. It asks for discipline during the week and composure on game day. Those habits carry into daily life.
Green says sharing the field with other women who love the sport creates a powerful bond. That shared passion fuels every drill and every snap. When the ball is kicked off, the work shows.
Mark Your Calendar for May 2
The Pirates will open their inaugural season at home on May 2 against the Texas Blaze. A new team. A new opponent. A fresh crowd ready to see what this group can do.
Between now and kickoff, practices will sharpen execution and solidify the lineup. The first game will offer a glimpse of what women’s semi-pro tackle football looks like in Mobile: fast, physical, and focused.
Anyone interested in trying out or supporting the team can call 251-436-9441. The Pirates are also active on Facebook and Instagram at @PCPPirates, where updates, schedules, and team news are posted regularly.
Every program starts somewhere. For the Port City Pirates, it starts on a practice field at Maitre Park and builds toward a Friday night in May.
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