St. Mark’s high school in Ottawa are proving to be lead the way in the growth of tackle football in Canada. This all female team had 80 names signed up to play tackle football within one day. As they were unable to find an opponent, they hosted an inter squad game. Gear and practice facilities were provided for a little over a month in order to prepare for the game.
The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), along with the Ottawa Redblacks hosted the players, coaches, staff, and fans for an afternoon of football at TD Place. They had some significant support as Redblack’s players Brendan Gillanders and JP Bolduc provided some “awesome” coaching for the players.
Thanks to the media who covered the event, schools from the U.S. have now contacted St. Marks with requests for competitive matchups.
“As the Athletic Director at St. Mark I just wanted to say how proud I am of coach Andy Castellarin and staff – we jumped many barriers that day and paved the way for other females in sport,” said Athletic Director of St. Mark High school, Krista Ronberg.
The OSEG said this of the game;
“This is a tremendous achievement locally, regionally and nationally for sport to remove barriers for all kids and youth to enjoy sport equally.”
This is what #ottcity history looks like – #ottawa’s first High school tackle ? team from @StMarkOCSB playing @TD_Place under Coach @AndyCastellarin leadership ! This is #inclusion and this #sportforall @REDBLACKS pic.twitter.com/Q5Q4RYvPl3
— OSEG Foundation (@FoundationOSEG) April 29, 2019
Black team captains ready for action @StMarkOCSB @AndyCastellarin #girlstacklefootball pic.twitter.com/iNvfMd09BP
— Kerry Nolan (@MsKerryNolan) April 29, 2019
First half complete
Red team 6- Black team 6@StMarkOCSB @AndyCastellarin#girlstacklefootball pic.twitter.com/fIz9pIiqoF— Kerry Nolan (@MsKerryNolan) April 29, 2019
Final 6-6 – Glorious game – everyone played hard & made @StMarkOCSB immensely proud! #girlstacklefootball@AndyCastellarin pic.twitter.com/5o3gMj0dsG
— Kerry Nolan (@MsKerryNolan) April 29, 2019
You inspire! Making history today as the St. Mark girls tackle football team played with passion and drive ? at Lansdowne @AndyCastellarin @StMarkOCSB @OttawaRedBlacks #ocsb #girlstacklefootball #keeprowinginthesamedirection pic.twitter.com/ZzkaNe1DT3
— Karla Rocha (@KarlaNRocha) April 29, 2019
Source: St. Mark High School
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