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After a long off-season, the Regina Riot are back on the field.
The Western Canadian Women’s Football League team began training camp on Tuesday night under the sun.
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“One of our players just said in the huddle, ‘This is one of the nicest day ones that we have had.’ We’re excited to be outside for our first day and get spring camp underway and looking forward to getting the season going,” said Riot head coach, Claire Doré.
Keilyn Howie is a receiver-turned-defensive back for the Riot. She was excited to be back on the field.
“The weather could not be better for the first day of camp,” Howie said. “Get some good field positions, get some practice in and get some long balls thrown.
“We’ve been working hard since about January and training about twice a week.”
Keilyn Howie is a defensive back with the Regina Riot in her fifth season with the team. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
The Riot saw their 2025 season come to an end against a familiar foe. The Riot once again met the Saskatoon Valkyries in the playoffs, as their rivals earned a 9-0 win. Saskatoon then went on to win the championship with a 28-0 win over the Edmonton Arctic Pride.
Last season, Doré became the team’s head coach – the first time a woman has held the role with the Riot. She had previously been a player with the Riot before joining the coaching ranks.
Doré said she learned a few things from her first season in the role.
“I think I’m always learning something. Some of our sideline management and some of our practice, we’ve changed some of our formatting,” Doré said. “Also making football accessible so that we can get a full big roster out here.”
Howie was a teammate of Doré’s in 2015 – one of the years the Riot raised the trophy.
“It’s amazing. I think our biggest asset will be we have a female-led team now,” Howie said. “Our board is mainly female, our head coach and (defensive co-ordinator), I think that’s really going to help us because they have that perspective and know what it’s going to take for us to win.
“The representation makes a huge difference. I look at the younger leagues coming up and the path that has been forged for them so I can’t wait to see how this sport grows for women.”
Howie had quit playing after the 2015 season but rejoined the team four years ago.
“I just love being an athlete. I love to compete and I think this is the perfect opportunity to do that because all of them team is here to be disciplined and do our best and to win. No one is paying for us to be here — it’s just pure passion so I think that’s what I have always been looking for as an athlete and I love still having that opportunity.”
Recruiting is something Doré does a lot of in the offseason.
“There are always ups and downs. With flag football heading to the Olympics, a lot of people are excited there. We’re hoping that translates to some of those people transitioning over to tackle,” Doré said. “As the participation fluctuates in our minor leagues, so does our participation. We’re also hopeful that with the senior national event coming up this summer has inspired some folks to come back out and participate in football.”
While it was Saskatoon who ended their season, Doré isn’t focused on just one opponent.
“I always look forward to getting on the field and competing with our best team against whoever faces us across the ball,” Doré said.
The Riot will open its season on April 26 against Saskatoon at Liebel Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
