(Red Deer Minor Football)

By Sheldon Spackman

Central Alberta Fire

Registration open for U18 all-female football team in central Alberta

Mar 24, 2023 | 11:24 AM

Red Deer Minor Football (RDMF) is offering local female youth the opportunity to join central Alberta’s first all-female football team.

Registration opened Feb. 21, and closes March 27, with the season running from April to June. Girls aged 14-17 (U18) are eligible and welcome for games, while girls aged 11-13 are welcome to join practices and learn.

Devon Mappin, Vice President, RDMF, says the Central Alberta Fire will play in a Calgary-based league.

“We’ll be playing against three teams from Airdrie, Okotoks and Calgary,” he explains.

Mappin says the idea for an all-girls team in central Alberta has been in the works for several months.

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“This was an idea brought forward by a parent from Innisfail; his daughter had played for Airdrie last year and he said to us in the fall that we could get something like that started here,” says Mappin. “The numbers have been pretty encouraging so far. At the moment, we’re at about 12, but we’re hoping to get around 20 girls for our first year.”

Mappin notes additional football opportunities exist for females as they get older.

“There are women’s teams in Calgary and Edmonton,” he points out. “They have a league in the summer as well.”

Mappin says football is a great game that involves all types of athletes.

“There’ are a lot of fundamentals, and there’s a lot of skill building throughout,” he explains. “It’s great for building that teamwork mentality. It’s one of the most fun and entertaining sports that there is.”

“This past fall we had four girls in our minor program at the pee wee and atom levels, so it was very encouraging to see that,” adds Mappin.

Following the close of registration on March 27, there will be equipment pick-up on April 6, followed by indoor practices every Tuesday and Thursday, including bring-a-friend for the first Thursday practice.

“Then our league starts in May,” says Mappin. “We’ll be having a jamboree at the end of April at Setters Place and then we’ll have three games in May and the first part of June, all here at Setters. At the end of that, we’ll have playoffs which will be played down at Shouldice Athletic Park down in Calgary.”

There are opportunities for coaches and other volunteers as well.

“The initiative for us is to try and get as many female coaches out and start developing them as well.”

Registration is $240 for the season, which includes practice facilities, officiating costs, and team apparel.

For more information on the Central Alberta Fire, visit reddeerminorfootball.ca.

For more information on football coaching clinics, visit footballalberta.ab.ca.

For information on getting involved in officiating football, visit cafoa.ca (Central Alberta Football Officials Association).