Western leaders

WWCFL features many leaders that are role models for young female athletes

Since 2010, a group of remarkable women in Western Canada have carved a tremendous legacy in the Canadian sporting mosaic. Their sacrifice and hard work gave a generation of young female athletes with a new group of role models to look up to.

Having laid roots as the Alberta Female Football League (consisting of the Calgary Rage, Edmonton Storm and Lethbridge Steel), the league would undergo a makeover in 2011.
The metamorphosis would lead to incorporating four teams from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Western Women’s Canadian Football League was born.

With the league having evolved and expanded since, it helped to increase the awareness of one of the most unique sporting leagues in Canada. As many of the competitors in the league have backgrounds in multiple sports, while others are mothers in their forties, their stories and ambitions are the source of inspiration and motivation.

A competitor for the Lethbridge Steel, Filomena Bieri is familiar with the struggles that some female athletes have to still endure. While a student at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, her love of football was met by some with a negative reply. As she mentioned in an interview for Bleacher Report:

“I saw the Rams practice after school sometimes. I thought to myself, I should see if I can try it out. Yet, I only got a weird look and the ‘you are a girl’ response. That day, I decided that I will play football some day and I will show them how girls can play tackle football. In 2010, my opportunity came when the Lethbridge Steel became the third Women’s tackle football team in Alberta.”

As a multi-talented athlete, Allison Mouland currently competes as a quarterback with the expansion Okotoks Lady Outlawz. Having paid her dues for years as a coach and a trainer, the opportunity to compete in the game she has long enjoyed is one that she treasures. Although Mouland has encountered negativity, her persistence on the field brings with it great admiration. With her role on the Lady Outlawz, she hopes that it may shatter barriers for young girls.

“My hope is that young girls will see us playing this traditionally male sport and realize that women can play it too – and play it well! There are still some people who are unsure about women’s football and I have had people think that I’m “manly” for playing it. Though it doesn’t bother me, I hope that the stigma can be more removed for the next generation of female football players.”

With great alacrity, Megan Jalbert is a highly motivated and driven competitor for the Regina Riot. Competing as a wide receiver, Jalbert was once an accomplished volleyball player. The opportunity to extend her athletic career is one that she cherishes. As the future provides many opportunities for the WWCFL and women’s tackle football to grow, Jalbert hopes that it is a bright future.

“Interest in women’s tackle football is growing immensely as a result of these female athletes; myself and the hundreds of other female tackle football players are pioneers for the involvement of young girls and women in the sport of football.”

“We have beaten the odds and have become a part of something special; we are paving the way for our female youth and have provided them with the opportunity to try something new. Furthermore, our involvement proves that if we can do it, so can every other girl and woman interested in taking up the sport.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”