Edmonton’s top women’s football team, the Edmonton Arctic Pride, took part in the league championship for the first time over the weekend, falling to the Saskatoon Valkyries. It was the Edmonton team’s first season in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League. Head coach Marcus Henry is still proud of his team and is excited to see what they can do next year. “With this first year and how well we did, I think it’s going to draw a lot of attention and build the game even more,” he told CTV News Edmonton. “I’m already thinking about next season. I think we’re gonna have a lot more athletes out now, and my goal is to win the championship.” Bibi Suzuki quarterbacked her team to the finals. She’s been playing for the past seven years and remembers discovering Edmonton’s top women’s team. “To know there was a women’s team I could join when I was older just brought comfort to me,” she said. It’s a big reason many other girls are staying on the gridiron Football Alberta has been open to women for some time, mainly in older levels. It says it’s now seeing more high-school- and junior-high-school-aged girls signing up to play. “Women are really taking to the game, they’ve got a lot of great leadership, we’re developing a lot of great coaches and it’s been really fun to watch,” Tim Enger of Football Alberta said. “If people want to play football, regardless of their gender, we’ll find a place for you.” Five years ago, Football Alberta added an under-18 provincial women’s team. Because of the sport’s growth, the organization is adding an under-16 team. “It’s growing like a weed at this stage, which is really positive,” Enger said. “We’ve got two strong leagues now that are going in both Edmonton and Calgary areas that both expand to some of the rural areas as well. Red Deer has a team in the Calgary league.” It’s a new generation Suzuki is excited to be a role-model for, just like ones she had while learning the game. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I want to be like her so much,’ and to be that kind of person for somebody is – I feel really proud,” Suzuki said. She’ll take some of those younger players under her wing on the Arctic Pride next season, this time, looking to finish the job in the championship.
