WNCAA

The Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) is the country's first and only existing tri-level league of women in the country.  It is a non-profit athletic organization dedicated to the development and promotion of women's sports in the Philippines. 

The WNCAA currently supports a total of eighteen member schools and thirty-two associate members which compete each year in eight different calendar sports:  Badminton, Basketball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Athletics and Volleyball.  In line with its commitment to developing women's athletic potentials from an early age, the league divides competitions into three levels: seniors, juniors, and midgets.  The seven-month season starts in August with over 5000 athletes, coaches and officials in attendance, and culminates in February of the following year with an awards banquet to honor the champions of each sports discipline as well as the over-all conference champion. 

The regular season involves member-schools from Metro Manila and the nearby regions.  However, expansion conferences, which are held in March, include delegations from top schools in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao, resulting in a total of thirty-eight participating schools.

The WNCAA was founded in Manila in 1970 out of a desire to empower women with equal rights and opportunities in sports as an avenue for growth and success.  The six pioneering members schools were St. Theresa's College, Maryknoll College (now Miriam College), Philippine Women's University, St. Stephen's High School,  Chiang Kai Shek College, and the College of the Holy Spirit-Manila.  From 1970 to 1996, the WNCAA served the needs of women's collegiate sports, attracting the participation of more and more member schools.  In 1997, the newly elected Board of Directors saw the need to contribute to sports development not only in exclusive women's schools but also at the grassroots level.  Armed with this mission and vision, that year's Board started down the road to propelling the traditional sports league into the dynamic and progressive athletic organization that we know today.

The fact that it is a non-profit organization that relies on contributions, sponsorships and ticket revenues to sustain its operations, has not hindered the WNCAA's drive to increase awareness of women's potentials and successes in sports.  The recent addition of exciting new events like Cheerleading, Billiards, Sports Climbing, and Futsal is certain to attract crowds and boost media appeal.  Starting last season, the league successfully negotiated broadcast rights for such selected events as the Opening Ceremonies, Aero Boxing, and the Cheerleading Championships. Also in the works are plans to implement a process to determine the league's most talented athletes for training and competition at the Junior National Team level.

Indeed, over the years, the WNCAA has bred athletes who went on to qualify for the country's national teams in basketball and in swimming. Furthermore, if funds permit, the league plans to send its champion teams to international competitions such as the World Youth Games.

Of the association's expenses, over 81% is directed toward program services, while the remainder is spent on management and general services.  The Philippine Sports Commission has provided invaluable support to the WNCAA by subsidizing selected fees for the use of its facilities for the duration of each conference.   Other current funding comes from public support (60%), gate receipts (34%), program services (5%), and interest and other sources (1%).

This year, the league has growth on its mind.  With its ambition, drive, increased membership from Manila and the provinces, and dynamic leadership, the WNCAA will continue to remain dedicated to developing, rewarding, and creating awareness of and support for the Filipino women's power and excellence in sports.