Steel to kick off women’s football season today in the Hat
The Lethbridge Steel are ready to kick off another season. The women’s football team hits the gridiron for another Western Women Canadian Football League season today in Medicine Hat as they take on the Calgary Rage in a neutral-site game.
On Thursday, the Steel headed to Raymond Stadium for one more practice for today’s game before the team hosts its homeopener May 13 when the Rage pay a visit to the University of Lethbridge Stadium.
“It’s exciting,” said Steel head coach Justin Tillery. “We haven’t put any added pressure on them. We just want them to come out, have fun and do the best they can. We feel we’re prepared and we’ll see Saturday how that goes.”
As they head into the season, roster numbers are a bit down for the Steel.
“But from we have out we have a lot of returning players, so they know a little bit about the game and a lot of the new players are picking it up pretty quickly so that’s good to see,” said Tillery. “Every practice they’re out here working here, so it’s great to see the commitment. We have about 22 now on our roster. It’s a little bit of grind, but they get a lot of reps with the low numbers and we have a tightknit community.”
It’s Tillery’s first year as the Steel’s head coach, having worked on the team’s coaching staff from 2012 to 2014.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “There are still quite a few players here from when I coached before and I see them still playing. We’ve had a lot of turnover with a couple of players. It’ll be an exciting year this year.”
Among the veterans set to lead is fourth-year player Megan Bilkowski.
“I think this year it looks pretty good. Usually, we don’t have the largest numbers in the league. But we’re excited to go out and smashy-smashy.”
That will start today in Medicine Hat and continue with the Steel’s home opener in a little over two weeks.
“It’s super-exciting,” said Bilkowski. “A little nervewracking but exciting to be able to get out there to play some games and have some good competition and see some players we haven’t seen for a while. It’ll be really good.”
As for season goals, Tillery said the coaching has left that up to the team captains.
“I think every team’s goal every year is to win a championship. One of my main goals is to instil a culture here going forward and knowing any lady can come out and play the game, really enjoy it and grow as a football player. It’s just getting everybody better as football players and learning something new every practice.”
“We have small goals for ourselves,” added Bilkowski. “Just to learn the game and play as one, just go out there and have some fun. That’s why we’re here.”
The Steel are still accepting interested players. Visit www.lethbridgesteel.com for contact information.