It’s Canada vs. USA in women’s football showdown

In a classic case of Canada versus the United States, a Canadian Women’s Invitational group and the American Football Events (AFE) USA All-Stars are set for a showdown on Saturday in the ultimate football game in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Wolfpack, a women’s tackle football team in the WWCFL, is hosting the first-ever “Friendship Bowl” on the weekend, where many Wolfpack players (ages 16+) will showcase their skills in a one-of-a-kind experience against AFE players from across the U.S.

AFE is an amateur sports program that provides opportunities for women and men of all ages to participate in football events worldwide, including International All-Star All-American games, professional tryouts and scouting combines.

Dale Glossenger, coach of the AFE USA All-Star team, is preparing his squad for the first AFE game in Canada.

“What’s particularly unique about this too is that wherever we travel, these players never played together before,” explained Glossenger at practice Thursday. “So the first time they see each other the first time they get to be on the field together, is just now.”

The American squad also made time for community service during their stay in Winnipeg, spending Thursday morning volunteering at Siloam Mission and planning to host a kids’ camp on Saturday.

“All the discipline, the community service, it gives them an opportunity to be more than just a football player,” said Glossenger who has coached football for 32 years.

For the Wolfpack members, the game is a great opportunity for young players to shine while also enticing veteran athletes to make a return to the field.

In a unique setting, the game will follow Canadian football rules for the first half, then will switch to American football rules for the back half of the game.

Rocky Hackman is exiting her two-year retirement to make an appearance in the game Saturday.

“Just getting back out on the gridiron,” said Hackman on what she’s most looking forward to Saturday. “Just getting to play against another country and see where we compare toe to toe. I’m not going to say it’s going to be easy, but I think it’s going to be a good challenge.”

Hackman began playing with the Wolfpack in 2017 but started her WWCFL career in 2015 in Regina.

“Whether or not we’ve won a game, since I’ve started playing with the Wolfpack it’s definitely been a great experience,” said Hackman who started training again at the beginning of July. “…It’s nice to have the old bodies and the vets out such as myself, but it’s nice to see that there’s still the up-and-coming female athletes that want to play.”

Veteran Adrienne Dudek is another player who will be making a football comeback this week after not playing for two years.

“I just think it’s amazing to now see this kind of calibre football here,” said Dudek. “To see what’s going on in the WWCFL, to see the amount of women who are not only playing, the coaching that’s evolved as well. And then there’s some just dedicated people who want to see this kind of growth continue at the senior women’s level.”

Dudek, 43, founded and played on the original Wolfpack team that joined the WWCFL in 2011.

“It’s so amazing to come back and be able to use my skill and expertise alongside some of these girls who now have been playing for 10 years, but they’re in their 20s,” said Dudek. “There was not that opportunity before for a lot of girls and so it’s exciting for me to now to be beside all this talent.”

The Wolfpack, coached by Kyle Baillie, faced the challenge of uniting players of various ages and skill levels who will come together and showcase their combined talents in Saturday’s game.

“I’m just here to spread my knowledge and help out where I can,” said Baillie. “Open future doors for players.”

Game time is 7 p.m. at the North Winnipeg Nomads Field.

“Football we say is a disease,” said Dudek. “You just can’t get away from it.”

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