Message of hope

Riot’s Teal Game delivers awareness of key cause

As the Western Women’s Canadian Football League continues to expand its impact in the sporting community, an important aspect has also included its efforts to engage in noble causes. This season, the Regina Riot have strengthened their role as a responsible sporting citizen in the community, taking part in a very noble cause.

Wendy Sutherland and her sister Joanne Gasper are Co-chairs for the Regina Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. Their opportunity to work with the Riot came via Amanda Tafelmeyer. Competing on defensive line for the Riot, her sister Courtney is also a member of the Riot roster, playing in the secondary. Also pulling double duty with the Regina Walk of Hope, Amanda was the catalyst.

“This fabulous partnership that we have created with the RIOT started when one of the players Amanda Tafelmeyer approached us about working with the RIOT.

Not only is Amanda a player, she also volunteers her time as one of our walk committee members. There was no hesitation about us getting involved with the RIOT. Ovarian cancer a women’s disease and the RIOT a women’s football team, what a perfect fit. So after meetings and discussions, a partnership was formed with the RIOT and the idea of hosting a ‘Teal Game’ to create awareness of Ovarian Cancer became a reality.”

Hosting its first-ever “Teal Game” on May 17, players donned teal colored socks, shoelaces and armbands, while the coaching staff wore teal colored ballcaps. It was part of a humanitarian gesture in the fight against ovarian cancer. Fundraising was established through ticket sales, donations, concessions and merchandising.

Entering her second year as a volunteer for the Regina Walk of Hope, it is a cause very close to Amanda’s heart. The aftermath of the Teal Game was an opportunity to not only strengthen the unbreakable bond of love and friendship with her sister Courtney, but it added to a strong sense of pride in her teammates and the community.

Taking into account that the origins of such a great cause were based in Amanda asking her fellow teammates to don teal coloured shoelaces, the request suddenly took on a life of its own.

“I began volunteering with the OCC Walk of Hope Regina last summer and this event started as a thought and what I was hoping we could eventually grow to and develop and suddenly it took off to this amazing event.

It was an emotional day for my sister and me, but I am so proud of the women of the OCC and how they came together and supported the Riot. The proudest moment for me was seeing the dedication and excitement my teammates had. My teammates never cease to amaze me and I am proud to call them my sisters!

What started as a simple request to wear teal laces during the game turned into something more, the girls stepped up and added more with things such as teal wrap, teal face paint instead of eyeblack and teal arm bands. I am so proud to be apart of this event and being involved with both organizations; I cannot wait to do it again next year!”

The cause holds personal meaning for both Wendy and the Tafelmeyer family, as each experienced their own losses. Despite the sadness that comes from such tragedy, the Teal Game serves as an opportunity to honor the lives of those who lost the battle against ovarian cancer, while recognizing the need to continue fighting in their memory,

“Amanda and I have both experienced loss as a result of ovarian cancer and both feel strongly about honouring the ones we have lost, supporting our survivors and talking about the disease.

Ovarian cancer is a very serious disease that can affect women at any stage and time of their life. There is no early detection…so our biggest defense in preventing the disease is to inform people and make them AWARE of the signs and symptoms. www.ovariancancercanada.ca

Hosting a ‘Teal Game’ did just that … created AWARENESS of a disease that is often not talked about and AWARENESS that can save lives.”

Despite the final result being a loss to their archrivals, the Saskatoon Valkyries, the feelings of loss were quickly trumped by one of proud achievement. With $1,507 raised to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Canada Regina Walk of Hope, there was a collective sense of encouragement and optimism.

A very proud Courtney took to the field with her sister for a postgame photograph. Joined by volunteers Jennifer Bisson, Fran Doering, Joanne Gasper, Janice Lebell, Christine Niemczyk and Wendy Sutherland on the field, the true essence of teamwork emanated,

“It is hard to choose just one thing that was enjoyable about the Teal Game, the experience as a whole was phenomenal. Yet, I was most surprised and impressed by the support we had from everyone that took part in the game.

All the way from the players that went above and beyond to find teal things to wear during the game, to our amazing fans that donated to Ovarian Cancer Canada. Of course, the incredible support we had from the OCC themselves. They have been amazing during our season volunteering and just showing their support and how happy they are to be apart of our organization now.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”