ESTEVAN - A standout female football player from Estevan has been selected to represent Canada at the upcoming international event.
Shanelle Rioux will compete at the International Federation of American Football World Championships in Finland from July 27 to Aug. 7. She said it’s been an “unreal” feeling to be selected, and it’s something she never thought would happen.
Rioux, who played youth and high school football in Estevan, and is also a member of the Regina Riot female football team, tried out as a receiver for Canada.
She went into the selection camp with a lot of confidence, but as the weekend went on, she realized how tough the competition would be at the camp.
“Confidence wavered as the weekend went on, but I still left knowing I tried my hardest,” said Rioux.
It was an open tryout. There was supposed to be a preliminary identification camp in March, but COVID cancelled those plans. So everything was rolled into the tryout weekend.
“It was strictly just practising, learning the plays and putting it together, and trying to get a game done as soon as possible,” said Rioux.
Before they play games at the world championships, there will be a week-long camp to practise and bond. Since players are from across the country, it’s hard to get everyone together.
But seven members of the Riot made the team, and there are players from Saskatoon that Rioux has played against previously.
She’s not sure what to expect from the world championships, because she hasn’t seen many of the other nations play.
Meanwhile, three players from the Estevan Kinette Club U18 Viragos female football team will be representing Saskatchewan in the Canadian U18 Female Football Championship in Regina from July 1-9.
Each team will have six players on the field.
Hailey Tangjerd is a Grade 9 student in her third year of football and will be playing linebacker for Team Sask. Hannah Mercer is a Grade 11 who is also in her third year. She will play guard and centre. Gabby Simon is a Grade 11 student who has been playing for six years. She will be a wide receiver.
Tryouts for the team were May 1 and 21. All three Virago players who tried out were notified they made the cut in late May. The first practice will be the weekend of June 11 in Regina, and more will happen leading up to the championship in July.
Rioux was the head coach of the Viragos for their first season in 2020, and is proud of the players’ accomplishments.
“It’s a really nice feeling to have. It’s nice to see the young girls succeed,” she said. “I really hope to be playing alongside some of those girls when they’re older.”
