2006年VOA标准英语-Women American Football Players Defy Tradi

By June Soh
Washington, DC
18 April 2006
 
watch DC Divas report
 
 
DC Divas women football team in action
  
American football has long been a man's sport. But there are women football players who want to show the world what they can do.

VOA June Soh has the story of a women's football team based in the nation's capital called the DC Divas. Her story is narrated¹ by Amy Katz.

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After a long off-season break, outdoor training for the DC Divas has begun. 

The 55-team members gather three times a week to practice.

 
Allyson Hamlin 
  
Player Allyson Hamlin plays quarterback and says she has other responsibilities, but enjoys playing football. "I think the hardest thing for us is that we all have jobs.  We all have day jobs.   A lot of people have kids.  A lot of people have families.  We all sacrifice greatly for six months."

Allyson is the offensive leader - of the DC Divas, and is a police officer.   Other players are doctors, lawyers, teachers and engineers with various athletic² backgrounds.  

Donna Wilkinson   
  
Donna Wilkinson, a wellness consultant³, played traditional female sports from the time she was five.  She dropped them all to play for the Divas. "Football was always all I have ever wanted to do.  I knew from a very young age that that was exciting, that was fun. I liked what it looked like.  And the game is a beautiful game."         

Donna is a linebacker -- a defensive⁴ player -- and her nickname is "The Animal".  "When I am out on the field, it is the animal.  I mean everything is on; adrenalin is pumping. You see running backs come into the home you just want to crack them. It is just a great feeling.  It is rush and it is high.  But it is intense and focused.  It is just a great place to be."

The DC Divas, formed with players from the Washington DC area, debuted⁵ in the National Women's Football Association, NWFA, in 2001.   The league was founded the previous year with just two teams.  Since then it has expanded and now there are 33 teams competing for the 2006 championship.

 
Ezra Cooper 
  
Ezra Cooper is the head coach. "The essence of the Diva football, it is mainly, it is comradery.  It is working together as a team.  We had a good team last year.  We got very close. We made it through the championship game. We had to travel to Detroit for the championship game."

Despite their success, the players often encounter puzzled reactions from people.  

 
Raynette Savoy
  
Team captain Raynette Savoy is a chemist for a pharmaceutical⁶ company. "They look at me and think that I am crazy.  I am very feminine.  I love being a woman.  When they see me with long hair and in cute little dresses and high heels, they can't believe I am a football player. They think I am a cheerleader."

Ms. Hamlin says people watch in disbelief. "A lot of people don't believe that women play football. But if you see it, then you will believe it."

The Divas are determined⁷ to win the championship this year and show the world what they can do, very soon.

Ms. Wilkinson is waiting on the day when the sport will be embraced worldwide. "One day all over the world.  You are going to be able to see on TV women play just like you see the guys.  It is the same sport.   You will just have a chance to see us.  I really look forward to that day."

1 narrated   

v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Some of the story was narrated in the film. 该电影叙述了这个故事的部分情节。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Defoe skilfully narrated the adventures of Robinson Crusoe on his desert island. 笛福生动地叙述了鲁滨逊·克鲁索在荒岛上的冒险故事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

3 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

4 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

5 debuted   

初次表演，初次登台（debut的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• In late 2003 a full-size SUV, the Pathfinder Armada, debuted. 2003年末，全尺寸SUV的探路者无敌舰队，推出。
• The album debuted at number two and quickly went platinum. 专辑一亮相就荣登排行榜第二名，很快就取得了白金销量。

6 pharmaceutical   

adj.药学的，药物的；药用的，药剂师的

参考例句：

• She has donated money to establish a pharmaceutical laboratory.她捐款成立了一个药剂实验室。
• We are engaged in a legal tussle with a large pharmaceutical company.我们正同一家大制药公司闹法律纠纷。

7 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。