A new chapter in female athletics is beginning in the Parkland region, as a group of dedicated volunteers and former players work to launch a brand-new football program based out of Yorkton aimed at expanding opportunities for girls in the sport.
Caelan MacLean, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, said the idea for the new team came from community conversations and a shared desire to grow the game locally.
“We had some former players reach out to us and ask, ‘What do we do to start a new team?’” MacLean explained. “From there, we held a meeting with interested players and parents, started brainstorming ideas, and built a board of directors made up of people who wanted to help spearhead it.”
That board includes MacLean, Laura Fatteicher, Blair Benko, Hailey Madsen, and Tyrell MacLean, along with other community supporters who have stepped up along the way. While some members have experience helping with previous programs, this marks the first time the group has built an independent organization from the ground up.
“It’s a whole different ballpark,” MacLean said. “There’s a lot that still has to be done. But really, it takes a community.”
Prairie Female Football Renegades
The new organization will operate under the name Prairie Female Football, with two teams, a junior and a senior squad, competing as the Renegades.
The Renegades are planning to join the Prairie Girls Football League (PGFL), which currently features the Yorkton Lady Gridders, Melville Vipers, Southeast Viragos and the Swan Valley Bengals. The league plays six-a-side football, a format Prairie Female Football will adopt in order to compete.
“Ideally, we do like nine-a-side,” MacLean said. “But since we’re part of the PGFL, we’ll be six aside for now. Hopefully, as the league continues to grow, we can eventually get to nine.”
The PGFL includes athletes in Grades 7 through 12. However, Prairie Female Football is casting a wider net when it comes to development.
“We pretty much accept any age who wants to come and practice or participate,” MacLean said. “You can’t always play in games if you’re underage, but you can come and train and practice on weekends. I think we even have a Grade 4 who comes out just to hang out and practice with us.”
Funding the Dream
Launching a new program comes with significant financial hurdles. Equipment, jerseys, field time, league fees and transportation costs all add up quickly.
“It’s going to be a lot of fundraising,” MacLean said. “Hopefully a lot of sponsorship. We are applying for grants as well.”
Like most club sports, player fees will be part of the model, helping cover equipment and startup costs. But keeping the sport accessible remains a top priority.
“We’re trying to keep costs as minimal as possible,” she said. “We don’t want to be on the higher end because then it’s harder for girls to come play.”
The board plans to approach local businesses for sponsorship opportunities, including jersey sponsorships and support for larger needs such as a trailer to store equipment. The team is also developing creative grassroots initiatives, including an Amazon wish list for smaller items like pinnies and whistles, allowing community members to contribute in manageable amounts.
Team apparel will also be available for purchase, giving supporters a way to show their pride while helping raise funds.
Building Toward the Season
Although the program is still in its infancy, the Renegades have already begun meeting regularly. Practices are currently being held on Sundays from 12-2 at MC Knoll School gym, focusing on skill development and team building.
“Lots of the girls are new and haven’t played together,” MacLean said. “So we’re trying to get them active, working on drills, and also building relationships.”
The goal is to field a team this spring, though that will depend on funding and logistics. Regardless, practices will continue.
Looking ahead, the fall season is expected to be the primary competitive focus, with training camp typically scheduled for the first weekend in August and regular practices beginning in mid-August.
More Than a Game
For MacLean and her fellow organizers, Prairie Female Football is about more than just wins and losses.
“We’re really trying to give our players skills that are transferable beyond football,” she said. “Confidence in physically demanding environments, leadership, communication, resilience, decision-making under pressure.”
The creation of a second female football team in the region has sparked some debate, with questions about whether the community needs two programs. MacLean believes the answer is a resounding yes.
“More athletes is a good thing,” she said. “It creates more opportunity after high school, more visibility. When other girls see girls playing football, it makes them think they can do it too.”
Roster limits in the PGFL cap teams at 18 players per game, meaning larger registration numbers can leave athletes on the sidelines. A second team opens up more roster space, more playing time and more chances to develop.
“One program doesn’t always meet everyone’s needs,” MacLean added. “Different coaching styles, different levels of commitment, different locations; it gives families options.”
It has been nearly a decade since the first female football team was formed in Yorkton. With the launch of Prairie Female Football and the Renegades, a new generation of athletes will now have even more opportunities to step onto the field.
For more information or to register, interested families can email parklandfemalefootball@gmail.com, contact Tyrell MacLean at 306-621-5782, or find the registration link on Facebook.