Saskatoon Valkyries Women’s Football

Organization (2024)

Football

Saskatoon Valkyries didn’t start women’s football in Canada, but they’ve raised the standard.

From strength to skill, game planning to playmaking, the Valkyries are the complete package.

The kickoff was in the fall of 2010. Candace Bloomquist, Jessie Buydens and Michelle Duchene talked with Football Saskatchewan about holding a one-day camp at Griffiths Stadium for females to see who was interested. More than 60 players showed up. The idea of a league followed. Six months later the Valkyries were the new game in town.

The lineup featured tailback Julie Paetsch, who was a forward on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies hockey team, and safety Katie Miyazaki, a guard with the Huskies basketball team. Led by head coach Jeff Yausie, the Valkyries went 5-0 in their inaugural season in the Western Women's Canadian Football League, outscoring their opponents by 248 points.

Pat Barry became head coach in 2016. The beat goes on. With players from throughout Saskatchewan, the Valkyries have won the championship eight times in 11 years. In those eight finals, only the Lethbridge Steel have scored more than one touchdown.

Beth Thompson is classic Valkyrie. She played offensive line on the team for three years. She’s been a coach with the team since 2014. In 2022, Thompson was among four Valkyrie coaches and 11 Valkyrie athletes who were on the Canadian team for the world women’s football championship in Finland.

Jaime Lammerding was a defensive tackle with the team for 12 years. She is in charge of fund-raising for the Valkyries today. She is president of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.

Alex Eyolfson keeps throwing touchdowns to Haley Girolami by the bushel.

Football is in good hands thanks to the Valkyries.