After unretiring, veteran quarterback Aimee Kowalski leads hometown squad into Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship game
It’s been six years and one short-lived retirement since Regina Riot quarterback Aimee Kowalski defeated the Saskatoon Valkyries in a Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship.
“It’s grown to be quite a rivalry, like any Regina-versus-Saskatoon rivalry goes in any sport,” said Kowalski.
“They’re the team to beat and we’re the team they have to prepare for. It’s kind of always been that way and will probably be that way, at least for a little while longer anyway.”
“I kind of took some inspiration from those young athletes and figured I still had some in me,” said Kowalski, 37. “It’s tough to stay away, especially when you’re capable.
“And I learned a lot about the game by coaching. I definitely have been able to improve on some things, other than the physical part, like my knowledge and mental side of the games. It kind of comes with age; it just starts to slow down the more you do it. It’s been nice to be back and be able to give more to the sport, learn more and make some connections.”
There’s been at least one noteworthy change since Kowalski’s return from retirement: Her younger sister, Alex, is no longer a receiver with the Riot. So there won’t be any backyard-football hijinks like there were when they won the 2018 championship together.
“We’re very fortunate to have Aimee as our QB,” said Riot head coach Kris Hadesbeck. “She’s incredible, one of the best QBs in the country, if not the world, for women’s football.”
“We’re definitely going to be missing (Rioux),” said Kowalski. “But in many aspects we’ve got a lot of other players who are ready to step up.”
The Valkyries also have some offensive weapons. Haley Girolami, Saskatoon’s leading receiver, didn’t play in the first regular-season meeting between the teams, which the Valkyries won 16-9 in Regina. Saskatoon won the rematch 41-7. The Riot is also looking to stop slotback Reed Thorstad and running back Sarah Wright.
“They’re well-balanced, run and pass,” said Hadesbeck. “We feel good about the athletes we have on defence having the ability to stop both. We did a good job in our first meeting so we’re hoping to get back to that.”
The Riot again plans to wear uniforms supplied by the junior Regina Thunder for Sunday’s game. For the second time in six years the Riot’s gear was stolen during the season.
Most of the jerseys have been found, but not the pants. The Riot is 2-0 while wearing Thunder colours this season.
“I think when they were taken six years ago, we were champions that year as well,” said Kowalski. “So … ”
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