Latest news with #SaskatoonValkyries
Global News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Global News
Saskatoon, Regina tabbed as potential expansion markets for Women's Football Alliance
It's crunch time for the Saskatoon Valkyries, less than 48 hours away from competing for a fifth consecutive Western Women's Canadian Football League title. The Valkyries are preparing to hit the road for Edmonton and visit the Arctic Pride on Saturday in the WWCFL championship game. 'I think we're just ready to dial in, focus on the specifics of our game against their game and see where it takes us,' said Valkyries offensive line vet Alyssa Funk. Off the field, however, buzz is swirling around women's tackle football circles regarding the Women's Football Alliance and their push to expand north of the border in 2026. Established in 2009, the WFA has grown to become the largest women's tackle football league in the United States and includes 14 teams in their pro division, with another 46 teams across the country playing in their Division II and Division III ranks. Story continues below advertisement Partnering with Ontario marketing agency Cosmos Sports & Entertainment, the WFA is now pushing to expand to a Canadian division with the goal of adding up to six teams in the new year. 'Why is this not in Canada?' said Cosmos president Cary Kaplan. 'It's successful in the States, it's got big viewership on ESPN, it's growing. With the CFL and the strength of football in Canada, it really should have a Canadian presence.' Aiming to begin play for their Canadian division as early as next spring, the WFA has its eyes set on potential teams in Saskatchewan with the push to acquire interested investors in both Saskatoon and Regina. According to Kaplan, both markets were determined to have potential for expansion due to the facilities in both cities and the passion for football in the province. 'There's no better spot,' said Kaplan. 'Saskatchewan is the capital of football in the country. People in Winnipeg would argue that they're in the race, too, but I think that's really where the heart of football is and women's football.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Saskatchewan has been served by both the Valkyries and Regina Riot since the WWCFL launched as a league in 2011, combining to win every league championship since its inaugural season. With the WFA promoting a professional opportunity for women to earn a sum of money while playing, Funk said it's an interesting framework which she is eager to learn more about. Story continues below advertisement 'It's exciting,' said Funk. 'Getting to see the women's game grow especially is huge. It looks like they're doing some really good work in the States, so I'm curious to see where it's going to go from there.' According to Valkyries head coach Pat Barry, the WFA has not yet reached out to either the team or the WWCFL about what the potential expansion would mean for their member clubs. 2:06 Saskatoon Valkyries overcoming young roster, chasing fifth straight WWCFL title However, this isn't the first time the team has interacted with the WFA, as they played a team based out of Las Vegas in 2019. 'I'd be interested to see what they're thinking about, I know we have a league here in Western Canada,' said Barry. 'They are probably the biggest women's league in the world. They've been around for a long time and like I've said, we've already played a team in the WFA.' Story continues below advertisement Football Saskatchewan has entered into preliminary discussions with WFA representatives over the last few weeks, though CEO Jeff Yausie added there are still a lot of questions about what the process would look like and if a franchise could be established in less than a year's time. When it comes to the appetite for such a program in either Saskatoon or Regina, however, Yausie believes players would be interested with a move away from their current 'pay to play' model. 'I think it's a natural progression,' said Yausie. 'It's a matter of when it happens, not if it happens. I don't know if it's in the next year or two, or not. I'm excited about filling the stands and role models for girls that are playing flag and tackle (football).' He added the possibility of a television contract, similar to what the WFA has built with ESPN2, is intriguing for Football Saskatchewan. While the league is aiming to bring in six markets to start, Kaplan said they are prepared to move forward with the Canadian Division in the spring which would play in the WFA pro ranks alongside American teams. Kaplan also said the WFA isn't viewing the WWCFL as competition, but as a potential partner as they look for owners coast to coast to invest in franchises. 'We have great respect for the system and we would want to work closely (with them),' said Kaplan. 'We're not there yet. Once we get some backing behind it I think we would have serious discussions with the (WWCFL) and any existing teams about a collaboration.' Story continues below advertisement Playing with the Valkyries since 2019, wide receiver Rachelle Smith believes the increased interest in women's sports will mean even more growth for women's football in the province. Smith wants to be a part of that movement, whether it's with the Valkyries or as part of a new professional league. 'It would be a sweet opportunity,' said Smith. 'Any chance that women get to play football, get out there and show younger girls that it's a sport that they can get into, play and gain confidence in… I think it's an awesome opportunity.' The Valkyries will kick off the 2025 WWCFL championship game against the Edmonton Arctic Pride at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
Global News
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Saskatoon Valkyries embrace youth in chase for 5th straight WWCFL championship
Midway through the Western Women's Canadian Football League season, the four-time defending champion Saskatoon Valkyries are hard at work. However, the current roster is more inexperienced, following the departure of several veterans from last year's team. 'After losing a good chunk of our veteran core on offence from last year I think it was kind of a question mark how we were going to fare this season,' said Valkyries linebacker Emmarae Dale. 'We have a very, very strong defence and we've all been playing together for a while.' Despite the new faces on offence, the Valkyries have continued their winning ways with a 2-0 start to their 2025 season. With a much more inexperienced group of teammates, Dale said it's been up to the veterans on the team to help bring the first and second-year players along. Story continues below advertisement 'They don't necessarily have the full ins and outs like we do,' said Dale. 'It for sure makes us have to step up a little bit more and realize we can't take anything for granted, because nothing is given and we have to earn it.' 'It definitely makes us step up.' Coaching distinct eras of Valkyries football over the past decade, Pat Barry has seen players come and go throughout the organization. However, the championship mindset has remained, according to the Saskatoon head coach, and it has been passed down from veterans to rookies, who are now doing the same years later. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Our leaders bring the new players into the fold,' said Barry. 'They're very welcoming and they get everyone up to playing at a standard. When we can meet that standard, we're pretty tough to beat.' One of those newcomers on the defensive line is Shantel Sabiston, who previously played on the first women's team in Melville before a stint with the WWCFL's Regina Riot. Suiting up against her former team on May 10 in their season opener, the Valkyries were able to beat their biggest rivals at SMF Field by a 17-7 final score. 'It was surreal,' said Sabiston. 'It was [definitely] a little surreal, but it was exciting from playing old teammates to now making new teammates. It's amazing.' Story continues below advertisement Sabiston was among three defensive players to find the end zone for the Valkyries last Sunday for their first road game of the year in Winnipeg, staying undefeated with a 26-2 win over the Manitoba Fearless. 1:58 Riders star DB Milligan Jr. hungry for more after defensive MOP season On a day which Saskatoon's offence wasn't firing on all cylinders, Barry said it was one of the most impressive defensive performances he's seen in his time on the Valkyries sideline. 'It really was a remarkable performance by our defence with three defensive scores,' said Barry. 'I don't think I've ever been part of a team that has done that.' Among the changes to the Valkyries' look this season has been at quarterback, with teenager Julia Smith taking over starting duties from Alex Eyolfson. That hasn't slowed Saskatoon down in the win column as the franchise hasn't lost a game since the 2018 WWCFL championship game where they fell 14-10 to Regina. Story continues below advertisement Since then, the Valkyries have strung together four consecutive undefeated seasons and have stretched their win streak to a mindboggling 35 straight games. Defensive back Lexi Beuker, who registered a pair of interceptions against Manitoba last week, added the team has been able to carry over that continuity no matter who is on the field. 'Having that championship mentality that this is our championship, we're going to try to make it every single year,' said Beuker. 'Knowing that you have so many people that have been there and they've pushed through those hard things, they've been there when the Valkyries had their last loss … all of those brought together help make us one of the top teams.' With just two games left before playoffs, the Valkyries will be aiming to put in their most complete efforts before the post-season arrives. A path which continues on Sunday, visiting their biggest rivals in Regina and a hostile crowd at Leibel Field. 'Even though we're young, I think we're coming together as a team,' said Barry. 'We're finding out who we are. It's something that we want to keep going forward and hopefully push into the playoffs.' The Valkyries and Riot renew their rivalry with a 1 p.m. kickoff from Regina on Sunday.
