Our Roots: How it all began
As one of the women who founded the Freedom in 2001, and helped to create the IWFL, Mary Sargent set out on a mission to start this team from the ground up. She started by visiting ball fields across the state of New Hampshire recruiting women to play for the Freedom.  In order to stay in working order, she began to solicit support from local businesses who had no idea women played football.  She began working with the press to get the word out, arranging practice locations for the team, and outfitting women with football equipment.  When it came to game day, Mary found a small group of volunteers and covered everything from the chains on the field, to the tickets at the door, the game time announcements, the food for the fans and a half time contest with the kids.

In this first year of existence, Mary struggled to find a home for the Freedom.  She began visiting every New Hampshire town trying to find a football field that could be used in the spring. In the end, Mary and Mike Lopez, Alderman at Large in Manchester, fought hard to be the first non-school program to strike a deal that would allow them to use the brand new Manchester West Memorial Field, which continues to this day to be the home field of the Freedom. The deal was finalized two weeks before the first game of the season and could not have been accomplished without the help of Joseph Raycraft, athletic director at that time.  Coach Raycraft later began coaching with the Freedom staff as the lead Defensive Coordinator.

Over the years, there have many individuals who have been supportive of the team, constantly checking on our status. Mary attended our most recent playoff game in 2007 and said, "It was the women of the Freedom who made the team successful, I just helped keep things going while they worked on their game."

Our Purpose: Our Mission
The Manchester Freedom is New Hampshire's first and only full contact, professional, tackle football team for women.  Our franchise formed in 2001 as a member of the IWFL, Independent Women's Football League.  We play an eight game season starting in April of each year as a member of the North Atlantic Division.  The IWFL currently has 51 teams across the US and Canada.

The Manchester Freedom is dedicated to providing women 18 and older with the highest quality education and team experience in full contact, tackle football.  Participants are treated with respect through the opportunity to experience growth in physical fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and the safe and effective execution of the game of football.  The goal is to create a positive environment that allows these women to participate in a male dominated sport.

The Manchester Freedom is committed to service within the community that supports them.  In 2005 and 2006 the Freedom hosted the opening ceremonies for the NH Amateur State Summer Olympic Games.  As part of their fundraising efforts the athletes benefit from the profits of a 50/50 raffles at the home game of their choice.

Since 2001, the Manchester Freedom has developed a strong relationship with New Horizons Food Pantry in Manchester, NH.  The Freedom dedicates over 200 community service hours each year to New Horizons, participating in the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas food deliveries and by collecting items at our home games for discounted admission.

In 2007, the Freedom joined forces with Governor John Lynch, other NH professional teams, and Southern NH University to support a charitable initiative to allow people with developmental disabilities to attend local sporting events.

Also in 2007, the Manchester Freedom took home the Northeast Division Title for the first time in Franchise history.

We invite you to come and see us play a game that was once only played by our fathers, brothers, uncles, or husbands.  We are mothers, sisters, aunts, and wives who encourage you to watch us change history to "Her-story".