The Lethbridge Steel is a women's football team in the Western Women's Canadian Football League's (WWCFL) Western Conference. The team is based in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Team history The Steel were founded in 2010 and joined the Edmonton Storm and the Calgary Rockies in creating a new league, the Alberta Female Football League (AFFL). The league played just one season before the three Alberta teams became charter members of the WWCFL, joining the Manitoba Fearless and new teams in Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon. The WWCFL began play in 2011 as a seven-team league.
The WWCFL was divided into two conferences, with the three Alberta-based teams forming the Western Conference. In the inaugural WWCFL season the Steel posted a 1–3 record; they lost their first three matches before winning their final regular season game by a score of 34–32 over Calgary. They then lost a re-match against the Rage in the first round of the playoffs. However, Lethbridge was the host city for the first WWCFL Championship game, in which the Saskatoon Valkyries defeated the Storm to become the first league champions.
Lethbridge had its most successful run from 2012 to 2014, losing just one regular season game in three seasons and advancing to the WWCFL title game as the Western Conference champion all three seasons. However, the Steel finished as the runner-up all three years, losing the final to Saskatoon each year. During this period the Western Conference also expanded to include two new teams, the Northern Anarchy and the Okotoks Lady Outlawz. Okotokz played only the 2013 season before suspending operations.
In 2018, the Steel posted a strong regular season with the best defense in the WWCFL, allowing only 33 points against during the regular season. However, they lost a dramatic first-round playoff match against Edmonton by a score of 45–44, which ended their season.
The WWCFL cancelled its 2020 and 2021 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Steel struggled after play resumed in 2022, losing their first game 69–0 and failing to win a game through the 2024 season.
Year by year = Indicates Division Title (regular season) = Indicates Conference Title = Indicates League Championship
Season LeagueConf.W L Conf. standing Playoff resultRef.2011WWCFL Western 1 3 3rd Lost Western Conference Semifinal, 26–14 vs. Calgary Rage2012WWCFL Western 3 0 1st Lost WWCFL Final, 64–21 vs. Saskatoon Valkyries2013WWCFL Western 3 0 1st Lost WWCFL Final, 27–13 vs. Saskatoon Valkyries2014WWCFLWestern312ndLost WWCFL Final, 53–0 vs. Saskatoon Valkyries2015WWCFLWestern223rdDid not qualify2016WWCFLWestern133rdLost Western Conference Final, 14–4 vs. Edmonton Storm2017WWCFLWestern043rdDid not qualify2018WWCFLWestern312ndLost Western Conference Semifinal, 45–44 vs. Edmonton Storm2019WWCFLWestern223rdLost Cross-Conference Final, 53–0 vs. Saskatoon Valkyries2020WWCFLWesternSeasons cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2021WWCFLWestern2022WWCFLWestern043rdDid not qualify2023WWCFLWestern043rdForfeit Quarterfinal vs. Edmonton Storm2024WWCFLWestern042ndDid not qualify2025WWCFLWestern043rdLost Conference Semifinal, 37–0 vs. Edmonton Arctic Pride2026WWCFLWestern133rdLost Conference Semifinal, 9–0 vs. Calgary RageTotals (2011–2026)1935
IFAF competitors Two members of the Lethbridge Steel have competed in the IFAF Women's World Championship as members of Team Canada, both at the 2017 IFAF Women's World Championship: Wendy Iwaasa and Rebeckah Heninger.
See also
Women's gridiron football
References