The theme for the Regina Riot during the 2013 Western Women’s Canadian Football League season is Let’s Start a Riot. Led by head coach Darren Fisher, the Regina Riot are optimistic that a championship is within reach. Despite a 2012 campaign that resulted in a .500 record, the Riot qualified for the Prairie Conference Final against the eventual league champion Saskatoon Valkyries.
For Ciara Bray, one of six Riot players named to the Canadian National Team that will participate in the 2013 Women’s Tackle Football Championships, she understands the obstacle that Saskatoon presents. With Saskatoon having one of the toughest offensive lines in the WWCFL, it will be a challenge for the Riot defense.
“Saskatoon’s offense is tough … they execute their plays very well. Our biggest challenge though isn’t what Saskatoon does well, it’s our consistency. When we play consistently as a cohesive unit we shut them down.”
“That’s what we work on at practice. As a defense we are always changing, adapting and tweaking our defense to make it better every time we step on the field. We are always getting better … we never stop improving!!” stated Bray.
Having been named to the national football team is an experience that elite wide receiver Claire Dore hopes brings positive results during the regular season. With the Riot having appeared in the Prairie Conference title game in 2012, she hopes that it creates a positive influence for an improving team looking for its first taste of WWCFL championship glory.
“As a result of the six of us making the National team, I am hopeful that we will all be training hard, and providing positive leadership to our Riot teammates, to help all the members of our Riot team get better.”
Having lost by a 35-21 score against the Valkyries in the postseason, the Riot are working towards overcoming their rival and experiencing their own championship glory. When asking Bray what it will take to win the title this season, she re-emphasizes the importance of consistent play.
“As previously mentioned, I think our consistency is our biggest challenge. In the past we have played really well for awhile and then we kind of let it go … this year we know we have execute our plays to the best of our ability to win. We know that we have to know what our responsibilities are and trust our teammates to do their jobs.”
“We have some phenomenal athletic talent on the Riot and when we play as a team we are unstoppable … that is what it’s going to take to win this year!! We have the players, the coaching staff, the support network and now the cohesiveness of a WINNING team!!”
A test for the Riot shall be a May 12 game against the two-time champion Saskatoon Valkyries. While the Riot’s rivalry with the Valkyries is quickly emerging as one of the premier in the WWCFL, Riot quarterback Aimee Kowalski is looking at the big picture rather than just one game.
“Beating the Valkyries is not our top goal for May 12. There’s a different day that we’d rather be beating them. Our main focus that day is to have a good showing and to make sure that we have improved this off season more than they have.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
Photo credit: Regina Riot Football Website
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
