(Facebook/ Red Deer Minor Football)

By Ian Gustafson

U19 and U16

Central Alberta Fire female football kicks off third season

Apr 5, 2025 | 2:05 PM

The Central Alberta Fire, the region’s only all-female football program, has returned for its third season this summer.

The Fire, who are split into two teams of U19 and U16, kicked off the season on Saturday with their third annual jamboree.

At The Dome Red Deer, they hosted multiple female football teams from across the province for a series of exhibition games ahead of the start of the regular season in a week.

Head coach of the U19 team, Martin Rheaume said is really a celebration of women’s football.

“We get a quick eight plays on each side and get to see what everybody looks like and really, just have fun with it,” he said.

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The Fire have players from central Alberta communities such as Sylvan Lake, Stettler, Innisfail, Springbrook, Lacombe, and Red Deer.

This season they’ll play their regular season games against teams in the southern division and then there will be a provincial final where the south will take on the north teams in mid-June.

The Foothills Eagles, Calgary Wildcats, SAMFA Valkyries (St. Albert), Wetaskiwin, and Leduc are all U16 teams. The U19 teams that are set to play include the Foothills, Calgary, St. Albert, Wetaskiwin, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Stony Plain, and West Edmonton.

He said the U19 squad, that lost in the league semifinals last year, is a tad shorter on numbers this year. Last year they had 16 players but will field 14 this season.

Despite that, he said the team is slowly gelling.

“We have two new players but also a couple of early injuries unfortunately as well. We’re pulling together and we’re going to make it the best run possible,” he said. “We told the girls, it’s time to step up and play hard.”

Meanwhile, the U16 team is fresh off a 2024 campaign where they won the league championship in a 62-14 win over the Calgary Wildcats. They then competed in the first-ever U16 Female Football Provincials but fell to the St. Albert Valkyries.

They hope to get back their once again and Rheaume said they’re building off what they did last year.

“It’s fantastic to see. They have a few new players as well and they’re coming together. Of course, that’s a feeder for the U19’s. When we’re all working together it’s great to see the potential that’s coming up,” he added.

Both teams are aiming for the provincial championship but also want to see personal growth in the players.

The Fire will begin the regular season on Sunday, April 13 in Calgary and they will be on the road for all of April before returning home in May.

“Football is one of the best team sport there is,” Rheaume said. “The sisterhood that is formed, they all support and cheer for each other. For any girls who might be interested in playing, it can be a bit intimidating, but once you’re in and have the support of your teammates, you start soaring.”

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