Reno, Nevada -- January 31, 2022 Jimmy Garoppolo isn't the only Jimmy on the field this year.
Laura Zander (a.k.a. The Jimmy in Jimmy Beans Wool) is taking Northern Nevada by storm this 2023 season as she officially starts her rookie season with the Nevada Storm Women's Football tackle team.
"When I was in my twenties, I played rugby," Laura said. "I've always been a pretty competitive person so when Doug [my husband] saw an article in a local magazine about the women's pro tackle football team in town, he told me I should try out."
She said Doug plays hockey at Reno Ice (a local rink) and has created great relationships with his teammates and encouraged her to find her own community of people.
"There's something about being around a bunch of strong women who want to be the best at what they do," Laura added. "And I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be on a winning team."
The Nevada Storm Women's Football team started in 2010 and is a non-profit pay-to-play organization. The team has taken home two national championship titles ? having won both the 2019 WFA D3 National Championship and 2021 WFA D2 National Championship.
The team is still raising funds to cover costs for the upcoming 2022-2023 season. To show support for the Nevada Storm team, reach out to womensfootballnevadastorm@gmail.com or by coming to a game (Laura will be repping jersey number 4 out on the field!).
Jimmy Beans Wool is also one of the team sponsors this year. For the month of February, the Team Beans have whipped up an exclusive raffle with 100% of the proceeds from raffle tickets going straight to the team.
About Jimmy Beans Wool: In 2002, former Silicon Valley engineers Laura and Doug Zander opened up a tiny yarn shop in Truckee, California. Jimmy, as Laura is lovingly known, sold coffee alongside the wool (hence beans in the name), and Jimmy Beans Wool was born! In 2004, the company settled down in Reno, Nevada. Jimmy Beans Wool is known for its lightning fast shipping, award winning customer service, and innovative Just at Jimmy's products. The company owns the brands Madelinetosh, a hand-dyed yarn company, and della Q, a line of cases and bags made for makers. The company continues to develop products under its patent-pending Jimmy's SmartStix,. Additionally, Jimmy Beans produces its very own truly local yarn, Reno Rafter 7. .