After a year of planning, organizing, fundraising and recruiting the Okotoks Lady Outlawz officially have a home in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.
The Outlawz and the Northern Anarchy were officially added to Canada’s only inter-provincial ladies tackle football league at the Western Women’s Canadian Football League’s (WWCFL) annual general meeting last week.
“What can I say? We’re really excited,” said Outlawz general manager Roberta Gordica. “We had our fingers crossed and pretty much expected it, but we’re still shocked and surprised.”
Gordica, a former Calgary Rage player who has graduated into the executive ranks of ladies football, has been the major lynchpin for the foundation of the Okotoks team along with head coach Barry Hunter and player Tatrina Medvescek-Valentine.
The latter said the expansion of the WWCFL to nine teams for the 2013 season is terrific for the rapidly growing sport.
“It’s good because the league is expanding so it’s that many more teams, better competition and that many more opportunities for women,” said Medvescek-Valentine, who lined up as a safety last year with the Rage. “The league has been great and more than helpful so this is good news.”
Gordica said now that the Outlawz reached their goal of inclusion into the WWCFL the real work begins for the 2013 season.
“It’s scary too. We’re a few months from playing and now it’s official,” Gordica said. “It’s like trying out for the hockey team and saying I might make it and then being accepted and thinking oh now I’ve got to work harder.”
In preparation for their debut season in the nine-team league the Lady Outlawz will have a multitude of activities from sharpening football skills to fundraising prior to the outset of the regular season in May.
“We’re going to have a couple boot camps to go through basics in December,” Gordica said. “We’re going to be doing classroom studies one night a week in January. Then we’re going to get more serious in February and going through more football strategy, positions and beyond the basics.”
The gridiron gang will also be looking to add numbers to its program. About 20 players are already registered, ranging from 16 and up, and the Outlawz have a goal of having 30 to 35 on its sidelines by spring.
Gordica, the site manager for Sheep River Storage in Okotoks, wishes she was one of them.
“I wish I was back on the field,” Gordica said. “My mind says yes, but my body says no.”
The Outlawz have established a solid group on their offensive and defensive lines and now are looking to add more agile and fleet-footed players, or what Gordica termed the Tasmanian devil types.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for ladies of all ages to do something as a team,” Gordica said.
Medvescek-Valentine said her five years in women’s football have been tremendously rewarding both on and off the field.
“It’s been a great learning experience. I have always loved playing football,” she said. “Having those great coaches and volunteers helping out and giving us an opportunity to play has been awesome. Every year we learn more and more and get more exposure.”
The veteran of the sport advised newcomers who are on the fence about joining the Outlawz to give it a shot.
“Don’t be afraid to try it,” Medvescek-Valentine said. “It’s not for everybody, but at the same time it’s a great stress reliever, it’s great team-bonding and it’s overall the best thing that you will choose to do.”
The team is looking to expand its budget too with fundraising ventures in the works to pay for the team equipment.
Those interested in being part of the Lady Outlawz program as a player or sponsor can contact the team at [email protected] or can visit Gordica in person at Sheep River Storage in Okotoks or call 403-938-3325.
