Regina’s first Elite Female Flag Football League launched this fall, bringing together athletes from grades 9 to 12 in a new competitive division that addresses a long-standing gap in female representation in high-performance leagues.
Organized by the Regina NFL Fall Flag Football League, the new division was created to give young women a space to compete, develop, and belong in a sport that has traditionally offered them limited opportunities.
While flag football has long existed in co-ed and recreational formats, this marks the first time Regina has offered a dedicated competitive league built specifically for female youth athletes.
Mike Thomas, the League Convenor for the Regina Youth Flag Football League, talked about the creation and future plans for the league.
“The inspiration came from the fact that the talent we have here in Regina,” said Thomas. “We wanted to build something female athletes would be proud to say they’re part of.”
The league brought together athletes from high school level across the city, many of whom had never played football in a professional environment before. For players like Dreya Uhren, that opportunity was transformative.
“I’m very glad that more people are trying out and are getting able to get past barriers and sexism and that girls can play football,” said Uhren. “It really changed me, I still get to talk to a lot of these girls that I’ve met and get to be better at what I do.”
The impact goes beyond athletic development. Coaches and organizers say the league has helped build confidence, leadership, and community among players, who might never have stepped onto a football field.
The league’s inaugural season started with 48 players, from which 14 players went on to form part of an All-Star team that represented the league in Phoenix, “we’ll be going to Philadelphia in March to compete in another big US tournament,” said Thomas.
Coach Kira Dureault, whose team, the Yellow Jackets, won the league’s first championship, emphasized the hard work put in by the coaches and the players. “It was really intense training, you really got to see the ups and downs of all the girls,” said Dureault.
The community response has been positive. According to the convenor, people are eager to ask questions, attend the games, follow social media accounts, and follow next season very closely. “It’s been electric!” said Thomas.
While the season concluded with a thrilling championship game between the Purple Reign and the Yellow Jackets, the trophy is only one part of the much larger goal of building a pathway for young women in football.
The league convenor stated that plans are already underway to raise the standard with training opportunities, coach consistency, travel opportunities, and exposure to US & Canadian schools with flag football options.
If you are interested in getting involved, registration is open for the Spring 2026 season, and details and updates can be found on the league’s website.
In a city where youth sport plays a major role in community life, Regina’s all-female flag football league emerges as a powerful statement: when young women are given space, guidance, and support, they don’t just participate, they thrive.
