Regina team joins women's football league

Members of Regina's first all-female football team are preparing for their inaugural season of competition in the Western Women's Canadian Football League.

Players and coaches with the Regina Riot practised Saturday at one of the city's indoor athletic fields.

For some players, it was their first experience in football gear.

"This is living the dream," Chera Sloan told CBC News Saturday. "Being able to actually do what I see on TV… I've never had that chance as a woman or as a young girl."

The players' enthusiasm is welcomed by the coaches.

Jon Baxter said his biggest challenge will be assigning positions.

"Some of them have no idea where they want to play," Baxter explained. "So you have to place them. Basically, it's looking at this field right now as a huge puzzle and we just have to figure out where the parts go."

'I want to hit somebody.'' —Chera Sloan, Regina Riot football player

While contact football has not traditionally been seen as a game for women, Sloan said that is changing.

"Every game can be both a men's and a women's game," she said. "We've proven that with the growth of hockey."

Baxter said most of the players are already familiar with the basics of the game, so they should adjust well.

"A lot of them have backgrounds in flag football and aerial football, so we know they can catch and run," Baxter said. "As hitting goes, it's going to be a whole new ball of wax for them."

Sloan said that so far, no one was shying away from the physical aspect of the game.

"A lot of the consensus is 'I want to hit somebody'," Sloan said.

The Riot will compete against six other teams in the league, including a squad from Saskatoon.

Their first game, against the Saskatoon Valkyrie, is set for May 22.