The V.I. Steelers will host a team from the Lower Mainland in Nanaimo on Saturday, March 22 for the Island's first all-female tackle football game. (Soulful Stills Photography)

By Alex Rawnsley

touchdown

‘Pretty special moment:’ first ever all-female tackle football game coming to Nanaimo

Mar 21, 2025 | 4:14 PM

NANAIMO — History will be made on Saturday, with the first-ever all-female tackle football game on Vancouver Island.

The V.I. Steelers will host the Mainland Wildcats for a game at q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium on Third St on Saturday, March 22, a week after the province’s first-ever all-female game was played between the teams in Langley.

Football BC U-15 Female program lead Sean Caul told NanaimoNewsNOW work has been underway for a while to make this program a reality, but they only just recently got clearance from Football BC.

“It’s been an ongoing process over a few years, just getting to know some of the female players from across the Island. My daughter Anya plays for Southside Football here in Nanaimo, we’ve got three others from Southside, we’ve got a player from Football Nanaimo Seahawks, the Oceanside Lions in Parksville and a player coming up from Saanich.”

Just over 20 players are due to take part in the contest, modified to be a six-a-side showdown. (Soulful Stills Photography)

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The Island team will have 10 players, going up against the Mainland’s 11 in a six-a-side contest starting at 1:30 p.m.

A majority of the players take part in regular co-ed leagues, while a handful are brand new to the sport.

“Several of the girls have played from a young age and then there’s some who had an interest and just weren’t quite sure about playing co-ed,” Caul said. This platform is giving them an opportunity to be able to show that there can be a place for girls and females to play the game of tackle football.”

Caul added last weekend’s game in Langley was particularly emotional for him and his family.

“We are from Langley, so my daughter Anya watched her brothers play high school football on the field in Langley where we played, so to be able to return home with Anya and not just her but other young girls that were out there, it was a pretty special moment.”

Those interested in trying the sport are encouraged to come to q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday to meet with players and staff.

Earlier in March, the two teams combined for the province’s first all-female tackle football game, held in Langley. (Soulful Stills Photography)

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