Dylan Purcell
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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The Lethbridge Steel are kicking off their season with a recruitment drive.
The local women's tackle football team - they play in the Western Women's Canadian Football League - is entering its third season and is hosting an information night on Wednesday.
The team is looking for women 16 years or older interested in playing tackle football, and is hoping for a big turnout in the Community Room at the police station (135 1 Avenue S) from 7-9 p.m.
The team has a new head coach in Jamie Fisher and he said he's in the process of assembling his coaching staff and is looking forward to recruiting more players. Fisher said he'd like to see at least 30 players on the squad this season, and is planning to get the word out starting Wednesday.
Fisher is a longtime football coach and volunteer who spends his free time as a staff sergeant with the Lethbridge Regional Police Service, has been an assistant coach at Catholic Central High School, as well as a coach and volunteer at the minor levels. He has been coaching since 1985 and said he's already planning for the season, which begins in May.
"I've seen some tape from last year, it looks like there's a good group there but there's a long way to go to get where they want to go," said Fisher, who added that his initial contact with returning players has been positive.
"They want to win and they want to compete and it seems like a group that wants to improve," he said.
Fisher said he's excited to get back to being a head coach and will have experience on his staff, but also a group of coaches who want to teach the game.
"Coaching is teaching. It's teaching systems, but how to play, too," he said. "I want coaches that are there to teach these women the right way to play the game and do it in a way that keeps it exciting."
The team said goodbye to founder Rebecca Medel in the off-season - she moved away - and will be run by Kirstin Nakatani.
Anyone interested in the information night should contact Nakatani at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it whether they can make it to Wednesday's meeting or not. The league website is www.wwcfl.com
"I think Wednesday is the beginning of trying to boost our numbers and get the ball rolling on this season," said Fisher.