History will be made Tuesday night when Emmrae Dale (pictured in green) joins 49 other guys as the first female to practice with the Saskatoon Hilltops.
Dale is a 22-year-old linebacker coming off four seasons with the Saskatoon Valkyries. She was a member of two Western Women’s Canadian Football League-champion Valkyries’ squads in 2016 and 2019. The Toppers are splitting their 2020 roster into two, 50-player units…each of which will workout twice a week for the next five weeks. The Hilltops won’t be playing any Prairie Football Conference games this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dale will be eligible to suit up for Saskatoon in 2021 with the age limit being raised to 23. Following is the news release from the Hilltops…..
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2020
The Saskatoon Hilltops will make history today as we welcome our first female athlete to our team. Emmarae Dale joins the team after an incredibly successful career with the Saskatoon Valkyries, helping the organization win the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL) title in 2016 and 2019.
“I am extremely honoured to be joining the Hilltops,” said Emmarae Dale. “It’s definitely been very surreal so fa and I still can’t even believe it’s really happening, but I’m so grateful or the opportunity to play football at a higher calibre and challenge myself as an athlete. It has been an awesome experience so far. I have received a lot of positive feedback and support which has really helped me keep my composure on the field. Coming from the Valkyries, things haven’t been all that different other than the obvious fact that I’m playing against men now. The pace is definitely quicker but I’m excited to keep learning and growing as a football player.”
“I have watched Emmarae grow into a dominant football player with the Saskatoon Valkyries,” commented Jeff Yausie, Defensive Coordinator for the Saskatoon Hilltops. “She has great quickness along with strength and athleticism. We are looking forward to her contributing to our Hilltops defense on the field. She has a great attitude, and no one works harder than her.”
The addition of Emmarae to the team marks the first time in Saskatoon Hilltops history that a female athlete has been a member of the roster.
“Emmarae is joining a long list of Dale family members who have been great players and leaders for the Saskatoon Hilltops,” said Tom Sargeant, Head Coach of the Saskatoon Hilltops. “She has a great work ethic and brings a very physical element to her play. She is joining us for our 2020 practice schedule, and we can’t wait to see her in the Hilltops uniform at linebacker in 2021!”
