Sask. women's tackle football teams see historic growth

Women's tackle football in Saskatoon and Regina is seeing historic growth this year as the league enters its sixth season.

The Western Women's Canadian Football League started in 2011 and has been growing in popularity over the years.

"We started out with low numbers for a tackle football team," said Saskatoon Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie.

"We were practicing with 25 or 30 players."

But this season, the Valkyries are fielding a full 56-player roster. 

Yausie has been the coach of the Valkyries since Day 1, guiding the team to four out of the last five league championships.

New season

Another season kicked off last week. Both Saskatoon and Regina started the season with wins. 

The eight-team league is slowly getting more competitive but it's still the two Saskatchewan teams that sit at the top.

Regina won its first championship by beating Saskatoon last season.

"Losing is a great motivator," said Yausie.

Second-year quarterback Reed Thorstad has played flag football for years, making the jump to tackle football last season. She said people are still surprised by how many women are playing football now.

"It seems like people are always shocked about hearing girls play football, tackle football especially," said Thorstad.

"It's cool to be a part of something that's changing those stereotypes."

Thorstad was a key part of the team's opening season win last weekend in Manitoba. She credits the team's veteran coaching staff with her improving skills.

Many of the Valkyries coaches are former Saskatoon Hilltops and University of Saskatchewan Huskies players.

Now Thorstad is setting her sights on Regina and rematch of last year's title game.

"We definitely want to take back that championship."

Saskatoon and Regina finish the regular season by playing one another. The first matchup is May 22 in Saskatoon followed by the season ending game in Regina on May 28.