Saskatoon Valkyries

Women's football team

Saskatoon Valkyries

Founded| 2010
Based in| Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Home stadium| Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Griffiths Stadium
Head coach| Pat Barry
General manager| Michelle Duchene
League| WWCFL
Division| Prairie
Colours|
Nickname(s)| Valks
League titles| 9 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Conference titles| 10 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Website| www.saskatoonvalkyries.com

The Saskatoon Valkyries are a women's football team in the Western Women's Canadian Football League's (WWCFL) Prairie Conference. The team is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. They are the most successful WWCFL team, winning ten of the leagues thirteen championships since play began in 2011, including the first four. Their primary rivals are the Regina Riot, the only other WWCFL team to win the championship.[1]

## Team history

[edit]

The Valkyries were founded in 2010 after a Football Saskatchewan women's football clinic in Saskatoon consolidated interest among players and management. Co-founder Michelle Duchene had her own interest piqued after working as a trainer for the women's national team at the 2010 world championships.[2] The Saskatoon team was founded in time to join the new Western Women's Canadian Football League (WWCFL), and after a fan submission contest Valkyries was chosen as the team name.[3]

### Early success

[edit]

The WWCFL began play in 2011 with seven teams in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The Valkyries had a dominant inaugural season, posting a 4-0 record and advancing to the league championship final by defeating their provincial rival Regina Riot 36–6 in the Prairie Conference final.[4] In the championship match, the Valkyries defeated the Edmonton Storm 35–7 to become the first WWCFL champions.[4]

The Valkyries again posted a perfect record in 2012, and advanced to the championship match with a chance to defend their title against the Lethbridge Steel, who also advanced to the final undefeated. The Valkyries defeated the Steel 64–21 in Saskatoon to claim their second consecutive championship.[5]

The 2013 season saw the Valkyries lose a game for the first time in team history, dropping a 15–7 decision to the Regina Riot on 12 May.[6] This led to both teams finishing with a 3-1 record and the Riot finishing first in the Prairie Conference based on point differential. The Valkyries rebounded from their regular season loss to win their first conference post-season road game, defeating the Riot 55–27 in Regina to advance to their third consecutive WWCFL final.[6] In the final, Saskatoon defeated the Lethbridge Steel 27–13 in Regina to claim their third consecutive title.[7]

The Valkyries returned to undefeated status in 2014, advancing to a fourth consecutive championship match and a third straight against Lethbridge.[8] They capped a dominant season with a 53–0 victory over the Steel to claim their fourth championship.[9] After the match, veteran quarterback Candace Bloomquist, who had been with the team since its inception, announced her retirement.[10]

The 2015 season ended the Valkyries four-year run as the undisputed champions of the WWCFL. The Valkyries lost at home for the first time in team history on 30 May, falling 49–9 to the Riot.[11] As in 2013, this resulted in Saskatoon finishing second in the Prairie Conference. Unlike 2013, the Valkyries fell to the Riot in the Conference final, 31–29, failing to advance to the championship game for the first time. The Riot went on to win the title.[12]

The Valkyries bounced back in the 2016 season. Although they again dropped a regular-season game to the Riot, losing the season finale 27–26, Saskatoon finished atop the Prairie Conference based on point differential.[13] They defeated Regina 29–14 in the Conference final, setting up a meeting with Edmonton in the championship game.[14] Saskatoon dominated the title match, defeating the Storm 81–6 in Lethbridge to claim a fifth championship in six seasons.[15] Head coach and president Jeff Yausie called the 2016 team the best Valkyries team he had coached.[15]

### Coaching change

[edit]

Before the 2017 season, the Valkyries announced that Yausie had resigned as head coach of the team after six seasons to take a position with the junior Saskatoon Hilltops.[16][17] Yausie stated that it was "time for someone else to take the reign," and defensive coach Pat Barry, who had been with the team for three seasons since 2014, was announced as the new head coach.[18] After a 3–1 season, the Valkyries fell to the Riot 34–24 in the Prairie final, in what was the last football match at Regina's Taylor Field.[19]

The Valkyries finished the 2018 season with a 2–2 record, losing both of their matches against the Riot and thus losing more than one match for the first time in team history.[20] The WWCFL also experimented with a cross-conference playoff structure, which resulted in the Valkyries facing off against the Calgary Rage in Calgary for their semi-final playoff match. The Valkyries defeated the Rage 30–6, becoming Western division champions and setting up the first WWCFL final between Saskatoon and Regina.[21] Although the Valkyries held a 10–0 lead in the first quarter, the Riot came back to win the game 14–10.[22]

### Return to dominance

[edit]

Prior to the start of the 2019 season, the Valkyries organized an exhibition game in Las Vegas, where they defeated the Sin City Trojans 34–6.[23] They went on to post their first undefeated season since 2014. However, on 1 June, one day prior to their final regular season game, the team's defensive line coach, Justin Filteau, died in a plane crash.[24] The Valkyries dedicated their season to Filteau, and went on to avenge their 2018 Finals loss to the Riot, defeating them 25–3 to claim their first championship since 2016.[25][26] After the final, the Valkyries played another exhibition game, defeating the Montreal Blitz 39–12 in Saskatoon.[27]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL seasons.[28] In the fall of 2020, Valkyries linebacker Emmarae Dale became the first female player to join the men's Canadian Junior Football League with the Saskatoon Hilltops, which was touted as a sign of the progress of women's football.[29][30] Despite the cancellation of the season, the Valkyries played a series of exhibition games against the Riot in the summer of 2021.[31] The Valkyries swept the three-game series, defeating the Riot by scores of 34–0, 42–7, and 32–7.[32]

The WWCFL returned for the 2022 season, with the Valkyries the defending champions.[33] On 28 May, the Valkyries celebrated their 10-year anniversary, which had been delayed due to the cancellation of the two previous seasons.[17] Saskatoon posted another undefeated season and advanced to the championship game with a 52–0 semi-final victory over Edmonton. In the final, they faced the Manitoba Fearless for the first time, and successfully defended their title, winning a second consecutive championship with a 36–6 victory in Saskatoon.[34] The championship game was the final one for defensive tackle and WWCFL President Jaime Lammerding, an original Valkyrie.[34]

The Valkyries capped off their 3rd consecutive and 8th overall championship by defeating the Calgary Rage 40–0 at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on 24 June 2023.[35] As of the end of the 2023 season, the Valkyries were on a 27-game winning streak.[36] On 19 May 2024, the Valkyries claimed their 30th-consecutive victory.[37] They finished the season with a 36–21 win over the Regina Riot in the championship game to secure their fourth straight title.[38]

## Year by year

[edit]

| = Indicates Division Title (regular season)

|

| = Indicates Conference Title

|

| = Indicates League Championship

|

Season | League | Conf. | W | L | Conf. standing | Playoff result

|
|
|
|
|
|

2011  | WWCFL | Prairie | 4  | 0 | 1st | Won WWCFL Final, 35–7 vs. Edmonton Storm
2012  | WWCFL  | Prairie | 4  | 0 | 1st | Won WWCFL Final, 64–21 vs. Lethbridge Steel
2013  | WWCFL  | Prairie | 3  | 1 | 2nd | Won WWCFL Final, 27–13 vs. Lethbridge Steel
2014  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 4  | 0  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 53–0 vs. Lethbridge Steel
2015  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 3  | 1  | 2nd  | Lost Prairie Final, 31–29 vs. Regina Riot
2016  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 3  | 1  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 81–6 vs. Edmonton Storm
2017  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 3  | 1  | 2nd  | Lost Prairie Final, 34–24 vs. Regina Riot
2018  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 2  | 2  | 2nd  | Lost WWCFL Final, 14–10 vs. Regina Riot
2019  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 4  | 0  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 25–3 vs. Regina Riot
2020  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 4  | 0  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 36–6 vs. Manitoba Fearless
2023  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 4  | 0  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 40–0 vs. Calgary Rage
2024  | WWCFL  | Prairie  | 4  | 0  | 1st  | Won WWCFL Final, 36–21 vs. Regina Riot
Totals (2011–2024)  | 42 | 6 |

## Current roster

[edit]

The following table lists the Valkyries' 2023 roster.[39]

# | Name | Position | # | Name | Position

|
|
|
|
|

3  | Sarah Zeng  | DB  | 52  | Emry Halbgewachs  | DL
5  | Jackie Semple-Dyck  | LB  | 53  | Michaella Applin  | DL
7  | Kaylin O-Neill  | DB  | 55  | Danaye Holynsky  | DL
8  | Makayla Sader  | DB  | 56  | Alyssa Funk  | OL
10  | Danielle Girolami  | DB  | 57  | Sydney Schenn  | LB
12  | Reed Thorstad  | REC  | 59  | Karly Radke  | DL
14  | Kelli Young  | QB  | 60  | Brianna Hammet  | DL
15  | Alex Eyolfson  | QB  | 61  | Alex Wojcichowsky  | OL
16  | Marissa Glanville  | REC  | 63  | Savanna Spendiff  | OL
17  | Haley Girolami  | REC  | 66  | Adrianne Taylor  | OL
18  | Caitlyn Spurr  | REC  | 71  | Lauren Ferguson  | OL
23  | Sydney Beaudette  | DB  | 81  | Rachelle Smith  | REC
25  | Drew Lundquist  | RB/K  | 82  | Grace McCorriston  | REC/K
26  | Jaimyn Mantyka  | DB  | 83  | Mykayla Laroque  | REC
27  | Arden Kleiwer  | RB  | 84  | Hanna Pankratz  | REC
28  | Ricki Obed  | REC  | 85  | Kelsey Murphy  | DB
33  | Kennedy Mann  | LB  | 88  | Sarah Wright  | RB
45  | Emmarae Dale  | LB  | 90  | Betsy Mawdsley  | OL
47  | Jamie Wingate  | LB  | 95  | Carla Stevenson  | DL
50  | Grace Farthing  | DL  | Pat Barry  | Coach

## Management

[edit]

### Head coaches

[edit]

* Jeff Yausie (2011–2016)
* Pat Barry (2016–present)

### General managers

[edit]

* Michelle Duchene (2011–present)

## IFAF competitors

[edit]

The following lists women from the Saskatoon Valkyries who have competed in the IFAF Women's World Championship as members of Team Canada.

2010 | 2013[40] | 2017[41] | 2022[42]

|
|
|

* Jessie Buydens
* Julie Paetsch

* Jessie Buydens
* Julie David
* Marci Kiselyk
* Jaime Lammerding
* Darla Lee-Walde
* Julie Paetsch
* Carisa Polischuk
* Elizabeth Thomson
* Beth Thompson
* Kendra Wilson

* Shaylyn De Jong
* Carly Dyck
* Julene Friesen
* Alyssa Funk
* Marci Halseth
* Jaime Lammerding
* Samantha Matheson
* Beth Thomson
* Kendra Wilson (reserve)
* Rienna Rueve (reserve)

* Emmarae Dale
* Lauren Ferguson
* Alyssa Funk
* Haley Girolami
* Danaye Holynski
* Arden Kliewer
* Beth LaLonde
* Betsy Mawdsley
* Ricki Obed
* Reed Thorstad
* Ashley Viklund
* Sarah Wright
* Sam Matheson (reserve)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Provost, Kelly (2019-05-11). "Sask. football teams welcome a more competitive Western Women's CFL". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
2. ^ "Saskatchewan Sport Awards Recipients and Finalists Announced". Sask Sport. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
3. ^ "Saskatoon Valkyries - Our History". Saskatoon Valkyries. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
4. ^ a b Menz, Kevin (2011-08-13). "BRIEF: Saskatoon Valkyries league champs". The Sheaf. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
5. ^ Guenter, Cole (2012-07-17). "Saskatoon Valkyries defend title". The Sheaf. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
6. ^ a b Hamliton, Ian (2013-06-10). "Riot can't stop the ride of the Valkyries". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via pressreader.
7. ^ Rice, Don (2013-06-17). "Valkyries' third title win tougher". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via pressreader.
8. ^ "Saskatoon Valkyries going for 4th straight championship". CBC News. 2014-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
9. ^ Piller, Thomas (2014-07-06). "Saskatoon Valkyries capture 4th WWCFL championship". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
10. ^ Modjeski, Morgan (2014-07-07). "Saskatoon quarterback retires after Valkyries win fourth women's football title". Metro Saskatoon. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via WWCFL.
11. ^ Piller, Thomas (2015-05-31). "Saskatoon Valkyries defeated on home turf by Regina Riot". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
12. ^ "Riot win WWCFL Championship". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 2015-07-06. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
13. ^ Vanstone, Rob (2016-05-30). "Regina Riot and Saskatoon Valkyries both emerge with something in regular-season finale". National Post. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
14. ^ "Saskatoon Valkyries defeat Regina Riot, advance to league championship". CBC News. 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
15. ^ a b Rice, Don (2016-06-27). "Valkyries ride to blow-out title win". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via pressreader.
16. ^ "Saskatoon local round up: Valkyries, gymnastics, Huskies, Hilltops and Blades". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
17. ^ a b Zimmer, Becky (2022-06-01). "Valkyries celebrate 10 years in Saskatoon; Yausie, players look to grow football". CKOM. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
18. ^ Hanna, Claire (2016-11-07). "WWCFL champions Saskatoon Valkyries make off season coaching changes". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
19. ^ Vanstone, Rob (2017-06-05). "Regina Riot advances to WWCFL final". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
20. ^ Vanstone, Rob (2018-06-04). "Riot outlasts Valkyries to clinch first in WWCFL's Mosaic Stadium debut". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via pressreader.
21. ^ Vanstone, Rob (2018-06-17). "Regina Riot, Saskatoon Valkyries to meet in WWCFL final". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
22. ^ Harder, Greg (2018-06-24). "Riot wins second straight WWCFL championship". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
23. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2019-06-29). "Former coach top of mind as Valkyries face arch rivals". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-12 - via pressreader.
24. ^ MacPherson, Alex (2019-06-02). "Plane crash near Medicine Hat claims the life of former Hilltop, Huskie player". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
25. ^ Bidwell, Derek; Piller, Thomas (2019-07-01). "Saskatoon Valkyries dedicate winning season to late coach". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
26. ^ Eneas, Bryan (2019-07-08). "Saskatoon Valkyries overcome odds and tragic death of coach to win championship title". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
27. ^ "Valkyries close off season with victory over Montreal Blitz". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 2019-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
28. ^ Lazaruk, Les (2020-03-30). "WWCFL Cancels 10th Anniversary Season Due to COVID-19 Pandemic". CJWW. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
29. ^ The Canadian Press (2020-09-16). "Emmarae Dale to become 1st woman to play in CJFL after joining Saskatoon Hilltops". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
30. ^ Morris, Jim (2020-10-02). "Canadian women's football league smashing barriers while fuelling passion for the sport". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
31. ^ Flaherty, Ryan (2021-06-15). "Saskatoon Valkyries happy to be back in action despite lack of WWCFL season". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
32. ^ Bidwell, Derek (2021-07-28). "Saskatoon Valkyries sweep provincial rivals in season series". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
33. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2022-06-23). "After COVID-19 interruptions, Valkyries savour trek to Saturday's league final". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
34. ^ a b Mitchell, Kevin (2022-06-26). "'I couldn't be prouder': Valkyries cap off unbeaten season with championship celebration". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
35. ^ Dayal, Pratyush (2023-06-26). "Saskatoon Valkyries win 3rd straight Western Women's Canadian Football League title". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
36. ^ "Valkyries look to future of women's sport after claiming eighth title". CJME. 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
37. ^ Vanstone, Rob (2024-05-19). "Saskatoon Valkyries' Winning Streak Reaches 30 Games". riderville.com. Saskatchewan Roughriders. Archived from the original on 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
38. ^ Lammerding, Jaime (2024-06-24). "Saskatoon Valkyries claim their 9th WWCFL women's football championship". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
39. ^ "Saskatoon Valkyries - Meet the 2023 Players". Saskatoon Valkyries. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
40. ^ "Team Canada - WWC2013 - WWC2013". Archived from the original on 2013-11-17. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
41. ^ "Football Canada Unveils 2017 Women's National Team Roster". Football Canada. 2017-01-14. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
42. ^ Geisler, Jamie (2022-05-20). "Team Canada National Women's Team Final Roster set for Finland". Football Canada. Retrieved 2023-07-12.

## See also

[edit]

* Women's gridiron football

* v
* t
* e

Women's gridiron football leagues

United States|

* United States Women's Football League
* Women's Football Alliance
* Women's National Football Conference
* Women's Tackle Football League
* X League

Canada|

* Western Women's Canadian Football League
* Maritime Women's Football League
* Central Canadian Women's Football League

Australia|

* Female Gridiron League of Queensland
* Ladies Gridiron League

Defunct|

* American Football Women's League
* Independent Women's Football League
* National Women's Football Association
* Women's Affiliated Football Conference
* Women's American Football League
* Women's Arena Football League
* Women's Football Association (2002–03)
* Women's Football League
* Women's Professional Football League

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