Saskatoon Valkyries looking to extend dynasty as 2026 season kicks off in Regina

From practising in 20 C to clearing off snow from the field, the Saskatoon Valkyries have adapted to what Mother Nature has thrown their way this spring, all in anticipation of kicking off the 2026 Western Women’s Canadian Football League season this weekend.

“It is hectic,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry.

“We do live in Saskatchewan and (weather) is something that we can’t control. All we can control is our preparation.”

Read more:

• Raiders open series against Medicine Hat Tigers with statement game
• Saskatoon’s Bruce Korte rink ready to make World Senior Curling Championship debut
• Regina Pat Canadians beat the Okanagan Rockets 5-4 at Telus Cup

The Valkyries have reunited on the field ahead of their Week 1 game visiting the Regina Riot, with the goal of extending their record-breaking dynasty this summer.

Defensive end Grace Farthing is entering her fifth season with the Valkyries and said pre-season preparation is something she looks forward to every April.

“It’s incredible to be out here with your teammates preparing for your first game,” Farthing said.

“It’s definitely nerve-wracking, but the excitement is there and we’re ready to go win.”

The Valkyries enter the 2026 season as the five-time defending champions of the WWCFL, the longest championship streak in the history of the league.

Saskatoon’s 10th title in franchise history was won last June at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton with a 28-0 shutout victory over the Arctic Pride.

The win capped off another undefeated season for the Valkyries, though running back Teagan Craig said there was no easy path to the top of the league.

“There’s no free win,” Craig. “We put in so much effort last year to do what we did and make it where we did. The experience of playing at the Edmonton Elks’ stadium, the biggest stadium in Canada, was such a wild experience to have.”

It didn’t take long for talk to quickly switch to a sixth-straight league title however, according to Farthing.

“We were on our way home — it was a party, of course, and we were so pumped,” Farthing said.

“I think immediately it was like, ‘Hey let’s go get another.’ The turnover was not too long, we are looking towards the next win and what we can do to make that happen.”

Losing has not been part of the Valkyries’ DNA over their championship streak, with their last defeat coming in the 2018 league final to Regina.

The win streak of 39 consecutive games has created one of the greatest dynasties in Canadian women’s tackle football.

Barry isn’t reflecting on the wins or championships however, with kickoff looming against the Riot.

“When you look back on events that have happened in the past it’s nice to reflect,” he said.

“One of the positive things is always thinking about moving forward or looking at the next week. That’s something that we finally get to do after a long winter.”

The Valkyries will start the 2026 season with the same 0-0 record alongside the Riot, Arctic Pride, Manitoba Fearless, Calgary Rage and Lethbridge Steel.

That is providing motivation for a group of players which has won nearly every award and championship in the league.

“We always walk into a new season thinking it is 0-0,” Farthing said.

“We have to fight for that spot, we know it’s hard work. We have to show up thinking that we’re back to ground zero. I think that’s one way that we find success, is by showing up every single year like we haven’t won the rest.”

Led by first-year starting quarterback Julia Smith, the Valkyries fielded one of their youngest teams in years last season.

That youth will still be on display this season, though Barry expects experience to shine through for the players who earned their first league championship.

“We’re hoping to play fast,” Barry said. “We want to be excellent tacklers. We want to be a team that blocks to the whistle all the time, we want to have explosive plays and we want to have fun while we’re doing it.”

Heading down the road Sunday to battle their provincial rivals, Craig added the first game of the season will be vital in establishing chemistry and setting the stage for the rest of the regular season.

“Week 1 is always a learning experience,” Craig said.

“Every team is a new team, honestly each day is a new team that comes here. It’s working together, finding cohesiveness on the field and off the field, making sure that we’re supporting each other.”

The Valkyries and Riot will kick off their 2026 seasons at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Leibel Field in Regina.

Read more:

• Raiders open series against Medicine Hat Tigers with statement game
• Saskatoon’s Bruce Korte rink ready to make World Senior Curling Championship debut
• Regina Pat Canadians beat the Okanagan Rockets 5-4 at Telus Cup