Seattle sports fans, frustrated with losing teams, and teams that take their ball and leave town, have a winning team to root for they may not even know exists. It’s the Seattle Majestics, a full-contact women’s football team in the Independent Women’s Football League that plays by NFL rules.

And with their last two undefeated seasons behind them, (8-0 in each) they are ready again to take on the world. Or, in this case, the Corvallis Pride, on opening night, April 11, 7 p.m.

Several West Seattle residents play on the Majestics, and head over to French Field at Kent Meridian High School for four home games. In addition to Corvallis, the team plays Portland, Sacramento, and Tucson, both home and away. So far they have not gotten through the playoffs. If they do, this season they may battle with the Orlando Mayhem, the Santa Rosa Scorchers, the Montreal Blitz, or another of the 50 other teams in the league.

“We don’t like to lose,” said Admiral Junction resident Stephanie Nelson, No. 33, who plays both tight and defensive end. This is Nelson’s third year with the team. She works in Sea-Tac’s public affairs department.

She can be giggly on the sidelines, but is no pushover on the field.

“My parents had two girls. We were both diehard football fans,” she said. “Playing for the Majestics is a great way to stay in shape as well as you get to hit people. For me it’s kid-like fun. There’s just a grin on your face because you kind of forget everything else when you’re out on the field.”

She said the team falls victim to blown out knees, broken wrists, jammed fingers and concussions.

“I have friends who play (roller) derby,” she said. “It’s a little showy for me. We like to hit in our own special ways.”

“I love the sport,” said No. 88, Renee Rodak, a White Center resident who played rugby in college.

A running and defensive back, Rodak becomes director of rehabilitation at the Kenney Home in West Seattle in April.

“I grew up watching my two older brothers play football, and watching Sunday football with my dad,” she said. “One brother flies in from Ohio four times a season for every home game, but my parents chose to watch the game film with me while we all sit together.

“The teammanship is great,” she added. “It’s like one big family. We all hang out after games and on the weekends. But once we hit the field we’ve got each other’s backs. We have to. It takes all of us.”

“When I got here my first guess was ‘flag football,’” said Arbor Heights resident Lisa Tavarez, No. 43, a tackle, line backer, punt returner, and extra point kicker. “I do a lot of stuff.”

This is her fourth year with the Majestics. She was a high school hurdler and basketball player, played basketball for the United States Navy, and is now a parole officer with King County Department of Corrections.

“Before I played football I didn’t dream about sports, but now I dream about tackling someone,” said Tavarez. “We have 50 to 60 players when the season first starts. Then they get the reality check. We now have a core 35 to 38 players. Football is football whether you’re a man or woman. It’s rough and tough and you’re sore. It weeds people out. Some who try out with us once played for other teams. They come up here and find out we’re a little tougher.”

It is not just tough to play, but also to pay.

“The Seahawks are overpaid in my opinion,” said Tavarez. According to the Majestics’ Web site, it costs $100,000 to operate the team per season. Each player spends nearly $1,000 of her own money on uniforms and travel expenses.

The team must pay referees, insurance, trainers, and the playing field operators to turn their lights on. Ticket sales and sponsorships help cover costs.

Heather Gallemore and Camille Head co-own the Majestics. They also play for the team, and like the others, have “real” jobs. Gallemore is in distribution sales. Head works for Boeing in its flight simulation-training department.

“Things are going well,” said Gallemore, a Seahawks and Storm season ticket-holder and Sounders fan. “We have a lot of great new players and returners. A lot of us work out at Local’s Gym in Lynnwood in the off-season. Our focus is on practice during the season."

“I got involved with the team eight years ago when someone Camille’s size told me to come to practice, so I did,” Gallemore said, poking a little fun at her petite business partner.

With her short blonde hair, the charming, diminutive Camille Head resembles Olympic gymnastic icon Kathy Rigby who portrayed Peter Pan on stage.

“I grew up around four brothers and loved football since I started to walk,” said Head.

And what about Gallemore’s remark about her size?

“I weigh 145 pounds,” insisted Head. Her teammates around her started to laugh and snicker.

“OK, I weigh 125. Some of us girls like to lie about our weight.”