But for six members, their journey won't end there. They'll be joining Team Canada in Vantaa, Finland, for the International Federation of American Football Women's World Football championship from June 28 to July 6.
"It's going to be hard and it's going to be tiring, but it's going to be an amazing experience," said third-year linebacker Ciara Bray, whose squad is to face the defending WWCFL-champion Saskatoon Valkyries on Sunday, 1 p.m., at Mosaic Stadium.
Bray joined the Riot in 2011, one year after Canada fell 66-0 to the United States in the gold-medal game of the inaugural championship in Stockholm, Sweden.
She admits she never thought that she would find herself on the international stage when she was entering her first season.
"I was super-surprised and excited about it, but I didn't know coming into playing with the Riot that it would ever be a possibility for me, especially being in my late 20s," said the 28-year-old Bray. "Luckily enough the opportunity presented itself.
"Being an athlete, no matter how early it is in the season or you being in the level of play that you are at, you got to give it a shot because, worst-case scenario, you end up not making it, but you end up gaining a whole bunch of skills."
Bray's Riot and Team Canada teammate Aimee Kowalski had similar feelings prior to entering her first season in 2011.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play on a national team, so being able to play football on the national team is a dream come true," the quarterback said.
Despite having the dream to play for Team Canada, Kowalski didn't necessarily believe football would be the route. The risk of injury made her hesitant to play football especially when she was playing soccer at Iowa Western College. However, when her soccer career was winding down, she decided to finally try football and the rest is history.
Riot head coach Darren Fisher recognized Kowalski's multisport history as being a factor in her being a part of Team Canada.
"(She's a) fantastic athlete - just a huge desire to win and do the best she can every time," he said. "She's really come a long way from where she was to where she is now as a leader and a football player."
Joining Kowalski and Bray are linebacker Adrienne Zuck, running back Mallory Starkey, receiver Claire Dore and defensive lineman Becky Wallis.
"All six of them are fantastic people more than football players," Fisher said. "They all understand what it takes - they all have the dedication and drive. They are going to be so much better than they are now, which is great."
To be able to qualify for Team Canada, the six had to be Canadian citizens, had to have played women's tackle football the previous season and had to try out for Team Saskatchewan.
They found out they had made Team Saskatchewan last May and competed in the Women's National Challenge Cup in August in Laval, Que. Approximately 190 players represented Team Saskatchewan, Team Atlantic, Team Quebec, Team Manitoba and Team Alberta. They all competed in a mini-camp and tournament, with Saskatchewan finishing in second place with a 3-1 record.
"Honestly, I didn't feel that it was my best weekend," Bray said about the experience. "It was a lot of football in a short period of time and the temperatures were extremely hot and there was a lot of pressure. I didn't come out of the tournament feeling overly confident that I did a whole heck of a lot or impressed anyone."
Following the challenge, the players attended national team selection camps in their respective hemispheres, with the western women going to Moose Jaw in March.
After all that hard work, getting confirmation that they made Team Canada was equally difficult for Bray and Kowalski.
The two were vacationing in Mexico when Bray received a Facebook message saying she had made the team, but she initially thought it was a prank. The two scurried for news from home and eventually confirmed their spot on the team.
For now the focus will be on the Riot, but for Fisher, he also sees the season as the starting point for future Team Canada players.
"It gives the players who didn`t try out something to strive for," he said. "People see that there is an opportunity to be a part of Team Saskatchewan and Team Canada and doing something more than playing recreation league.
"You get a chance to do something special. It's a great opportunity, especially for the young ladies around who want a competitive sport, who want to be part of a team."
Original Article
Following the challenge, the players attended national team selection camps in their respective hemispheres, with the western women going to Moose Jaw in March.
After all that hard work, getting confirmation that they made Team Canada was equally difficult for Bray and Kowalski.
The two were vacationing in Mexico when Bray received a Facebook message saying she had made the team, but she initially thought it was a prank. The two scurried for news from home and eventually confirmed their spot on the team.
For now the focus will be on the Riot, but for Fisher, he also sees the season as the starting point for future Team Canada players.
"It gives the players who didn`t try out something to strive for," he said. "People see that there is an opportunity to be a part of Team Saskatchewan and Team Canada and doing something more than playing recreation league.
"You get a chance to do something special. It's a great opportunity, especially for the young ladies around who want a competitive sport, who want to be part of a team."
Original Article
