If you build it, they will come.
In need of a training facility to meet the needs of its players in advance of a rapidly approaching inaugural season, the Okotoks Lady Outlawz constructed their own gym on the acreage of right tackle Tammy Holunga and offensive line coordinator Greg Holunga.
“At our training sessions in the library we were always looking for a place to workout and were approaching gyms in town and it wasn’t really working out,” Tammy said. “Greg and I have no animals so we thought why not turn our barn into a gym.”
Thanks to the generous support of several sponsors, the gym equipped with weight training and cardiovascular machines was quickly constructed and made available to the team at a grand opening on April 6.
The facility will be open at any hour of any day of the week. It should greatly help prepare the Outlawz for their first season of play in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL), starting in May.
“It’s going to make a big difference because a lot of the ladies can’t afford a gym membership,” said Outlawz general manager Roberta Gordica. “It’s open 24 hours, we can work out as a team, we can work specific muscles and work football specific.”
The Lady Outlawz have been busy knocking on doors since being officially accepted into the inter-provincial tackle women’s football league in November.
Their diligence has certainly paid off.
Needing a practice facility in the crowded foothills recreation scene, the Lady Outlawz were given access to Deb Darbyshire’s backyard football field behind Edison School in Okotoks.
“I mentioned at the chamber of commerce meeting that we needed a field and (Deb) said ‘ooh, ooh I got one,’” Gordica said.
The Outlawz have their feet planted firmly at two facilities, now they just need to add a few more faces to their current roster of 26.
“We could use a few more players,” Gordica said. “We want to hit the magic number of 30. That way we know we have replacements for injuries. And we’re all females, mothers, wifes, what if we can’t make a game or practice?
“It’s good to have that extra person there.”
The Okotoks Lady Outlawz begin their inaugural campaign May 4 a home date to be played either at Highwood High School in High River or Shouldice Park in NW Calgary.
For information on registration visit the team’s website at okotoksladyoutlawz.ca
