Female football fanatics and newbies stormed Century Field over the weekend as part of the first-ever week-long Lady Gridders camp.
“We’re trying to get some girls out, get them interested in the sport and then...hopefully we’ll get enough girls for our fall football team,” said head coach Tyrell Maclean.
Maclean kickstarted the Lady Gridders group this year, which will be a girls-only football team in the fall. The group, which is open to girls in grade seven to 12, will compete against teams from Melville, Moosomin, and Regina.
“This is the first [team] of its kind,” Maclean said. “That’s why we’re trying to make sure we can get as many girls out as possible.”
Over 20 girls participated in the camp on Aug, 11 and 12, practicing passes, runs, dodges, and tackles.
“We’re doing a lot of basic introductory stuff,” Maclean said.
Maclean was happy with the weekend turnout. Many people are away on summer holidays, so he’s hoping for more participants in the fall season.
“Even if they missed the entire camp, they’re more than welcome to come out, register, and play football this fall,” he said.
Maclean thinks football is a great sport because it provides a role for all types of athletes.
“The beautiful thing about football is it’s a team sport and there’s a spot for everybody,” he said.
The Lady Gridders’ first home game will be on Sept. 9 at Century Field against Regina.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” Maclean said. “Hopefully they’re going to kick some butt.”
Further camps will be held on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week. People can contact Maclean at tyrell@sasktel.net for more information.
