The Western Women’s Canadian Football League origins date back to 2011. Since then the Calgary Rage has grown from a small team of women wanting to play tackle football to a team that rosters 35-40 players, full coaching staff and eventually 2017 WWCFL Western Conference Champions. On Saturday, June 1, 2019, the Calgary Journal roamed the sidelines and captured the action between the undefeated Rage and provincial rivals Edmonton Storm.

Photos by Peter Brand

Sports Rage 1Kayla Ainscough, 88, plays defensive back for the Calgary Rage, one of eight teams in the Western Women’s Canadian Football league. Ainscough and the Rage looked to stay undefeated ahead of their game against provincial rivals the Edmonton Storm.

Sports Rage Qb eludesRage quarterback Becky Heninger eludes a would-be tackler early in the first quarter of action against the Edmonton Storm.

Sports Rage fieldRage linebacker Courtney Dawson converts a field-goal late in the second quarter to cut the Storm’s lead down to seven.

Sports Rage EDMqbTwo-way player Arja McGowan leads the Storm down the field late in the second quarter to take a commanding 18-3 lead.

Sports Rage 12Courtney Dawson tries to hold back her emotions after the Storm score a touchdown in the second quarter to go up 18-3 before half-time.

Sports Rage sideline tackleCalgary Rage wide receiver Emma Goldsney, 1, tries to stay in bounds late in the third quarter while shaking off gang-tackles by two Storm defenders.

Sports rage sidelines 3rdEdmonton running back Anne Rasilaht plows through Rage defenders before Calgary linebacker Courtney Dawson makes a touchdown-saving tackle on the Storm sideline.

Sports raage desperationWith only minutes left in the game and trailing the Storm by 8, Calgary wide receiver Emma Goldsney leaps for a pass. The Rage’s attempt to tie the game would fall short, and they fell to 3-1, finishing the regular season in second place in their division.

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