WAKAW — Peyton Kochan of Wakaw played in the developmental Grade 5/6 football in the spring of 2024 and has continued playing on the Wakaw Warriors Junior Football team. This summer, the 14-year-old had the opportunity to represent Saskatchewan at the inaugural U16 Female Western Showcase Tackle Football Tournament, contributing to Team Sask's bronze-medal win.
In November 2025, Football Saskatchewan put out a call on its Facebook page to teenage female tackle football athletes, stating, “If you’re ready to compete, develop, and make history in female football, now’s your chance.” The invitation to submit expressions of interest for involvement in the 2026 season was extended to graduating Grade 12 athletes interested in becoming certified coaches; 2026 graduating female athletes to try out for the Senior Bowl team; for athletes born in 2009, 2010, 2011 interested in U18 Team Sask; and athletes born in 2011, 2012, 2013 interested in U16 Team Sask.
Online registration opened Jan. 1, 2026, and Peyton, who plays defensive back, was one of approximately 90 girls from across the province who registered for tryouts. She became one of the 22 girls to make the roster for the first-ever female 6-a-side tackle football provincial U16 team. While she has tried out for both flag and tackle football at Wakaw School, Peyton says that she would rather play tackle football.
Calgary hosted the inaugural U16 Female Western Challenge Tournament from July 15 to 19, 2026. This event brought together elite female 6-a-side tackle football athletes from across Western Canada and served as a platform for competition and for promoting female football development. The focus of the U16 Challenge is on player development, offering young athletes and coaches their first experience with tournament-style competition, while promoting growth both on and off the field in a competitive environment. As a learning experience, the Western Challenge provides players with the opportunity to compete at a high level, gain experience, and represent their province on a Western Canadian stage.
The U16 Challenges also play a key role in supporting the development of consistent training and competition standards across Canada’s Provincial Associations. By providing athletes with structured, high-quality competition, these events lay a strong foundation for their future in football and represent a meaningful step forward for the continued growth of female participation in football across Canada. ((https://footballcanada.com/events/tackle/u16-regional-challenges/) )
These teenage girls are not only participating on the field but also contributing to the development of opportunities for younger girls interested in football. This moment signifies a notable milestone in women’s sports. It is essential to recognize that this achievement serves as a starting point. The continued growth and sustainability of girls’ tackle football depend on several key factors: increasing awareness of the sport, enhancing access to resources and programs, and cultivating strong community support. By addressing these components, an environment can be created where more young girls may feel empowered and encouraged to pursue football as a viable option.
Being selected for the team one year does not guarantee a return in subsequent years, so Peyton will be trying out again next year. The experience she gained this summer, along with the experience she will gain this fall while playing with the Warriors, should contribute positively to her chances of representing Saskatchewan again on the U16 team.
