Saskatoon Valkyries football club, undefeated last season, ready for home opening weekend

The Saskatoon Valkyries football club is gearing up for another season, with the home opener against provincial rivals the Regina Riot set for Saturday night. 

The Valkyries — after going undefeated last summer— are nine time Western Women's Canadian Football League (WWCFL) champions, with the most recent title coming last year after a perfect 6-0 season. The WWCFL features tackle football in full equipment.

Emry Halbgewachs, a defensive lineman, is set to return to the roster once again this season.

Halbgewachs said she's excited for the season to start, and to reunite with new and returning players. 

The "tricky part" always comes down to blending the veteran and rookie players at the start of each season, she said.

"Just trying to make sure that all personalities fit together and getting them up to speed with what we'd like to do on the team," she said, adding that it's still "a work in progress."

Taking home nine of 12 championship titles in the league's history, the team heads back to the gridiron with pressure to "keep winning." 

Halbgewachs said that while the team hopes to keep the streak going, the players will continue to support each other regardless of the outcome. 

"We're still going to be a team and we'll keep trying just as hard the next time," she said. 

Pat Berry, Valkyries head coach since 2017, said the team is ready to kick-off the new season. 

"We've been preparing for a long time, practicing indoors, at the indoor training centre and the soccer centres here in Saskatoon," he said. 

When gauging the success of previous seasons, Berry said the support and commitment from the volunteers on the team and coaches has played a vital role. 

"But really it has to do with the players and what they do," he said. 

On Saturday, the Valkyries will go head-to-head with the Regina Riot football team at SMF Field in a rare night game, with kick-off at 7 p.m. CST.

"It's a great opportunity to see women on the field playing a pretty intense game," Halbgewachs said.

"It's gonna be fun, very full of energy, and we hope to see everyone come out."