A nod to ALL of the well-trained and appreciated guys and gals on the WTFL referee roster. We just realized that while each ref is working hard to continually make the "W" the best league ever, we're also breaking new ground with an all-female referee crew debuting tonight! Here's the scoop released to media:

FIRST ALL-FEMALE FOOTBALL REFEREE CREW - TONIGHT
WTFL continues to break new turf with women’s football

August 25, 2009 for immediate release – Move the yardsticks again. Females of the Winnipeg Touch Football League (WTFL) continue to push the sport forward with the first all-female referee crew débuting tonight.

It didn’t take long for WTFL women to don the stripes. Since the Women’s Division of the WTFL was formed in 2005, women quickly took advantage of the national caliber referee classroom and on-field training the league provides annually. The WTFL referee roster of ~50 is proud to already have six nationally-certified female officials who manage both the men’s and women’s games.

But tonight, the first female Head Referee, Rebecca Duhard, will be working an all-female crew for the first time ever. A true fan and student of the sport, Duhard made the leap to Head Referee this year, “The guys really encouraged and mentored me,” says Duhard, “but I’ve been learning how to Head Ref more to help the league – I didn’t really pay attention that our league is also breaking new ground here,” added Duhard.

WTFL Vice-President and Officials Coordinator Marc Jeanson says, “The female officials are a welcome addition to the WTFL, which boasts the best qualified referees in town.” Jeanson added, “We continually encourage and invest in our referees by sponsoring free training by nationally-certified instructor, Darrell Mazur. Any fan and player appreciates how the game is elevated by a strong ref crew.”

The WTFL first all-female referee crew is tonight:

WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
TIME: 6:30pm – 7:45pm
WHERE: Tec Voc (Technical Vocational High School) 1555 Wall Street

CONTACT:
Wendy (Shupenia) Swanston
WTFL Communications
(204) 223.4484
Wendy@wtfl.ca

About the Winnipeg Touch Football League – started in 1973 by former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Don Jonas, the WTFL is a not-for-profit league run by a volunteer board, which prides itself on providing “the best game day experience”. The Women’s Division of the WTFL was formed in 2005, which contributed in Manitoba’s successful bid for the national touch football “Tournament of Champions” in 2006. The WTFL provides approximately 1000 Men and Women both competitive and recreational touch football. Each year teams from the WTFL also compete in neighboring provinces.
More information available at: www.wtfl.ca
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The playoff schedule was posted up last week. Please go to the schedule page and select "Playoff Schedule".

We've moved a bunch of games from Optimist SW to Tec Voc for the next couple of weeks. Please have a look at your schedule!

2009 Prairie Regional Championships - Labour Day Classic in Regina
September 4, 5 & 6 2009

Registration is Limited
There will only be 8 teams in each division, so register early.
Entry will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Once the entry spots have been filled, all subsequent registrations will be added to a waiting list.
All teams (including those on the waiting list) must submit the entry fee by the deadline to preserve their right to an entry spot. Teams that do not submit the entry fee by the fee deadline will surrender their entry spot to a team on the waiting list.
All teams on the waiting list that do not receive an entry spot will have their registration fee returned to them.
All teams are guaranteed 3 games minimum.
Winner receives Entry Fee for Nationals
Early Bird Entry Fee: $475 - Paid in full by August 5, 2009
Regular Entry Fee: $500 - Paid in full by August 19, 2009

For all the info and registration form go to http://www.rtfi.ca/tourney/labourday.php

Thanks to all the WTFL players, refs, sponsors and Mother Nature who made the 1st annual WTFL Summer Tournament a success. Looking forward to bigger and better next year! Check out tournie photos in the Image Gallery: http://wtfl.ca/albums

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Click here to view the Draw for this weekend's tournament:

http://www.wtfl.ca/league_file/file_name/356/WTFL_TournamentJuly18_19_v2.pdf

There has been one change made to the posted Draw. In the Women's Division Streakcats now play at 3pm and Flash now plays at 11:15am on Saturday. All else remains the same.

Cheers,
Craig

***
Bring your Cleats, your Sunscreen and your Advil!

The Winnipeg Touch Football League is pleased to announce the first Touch Football Tournament in Winnipeg since 2006 when the National Championships were held in Winnipeg. This will be the first local tournament in many years.

The WTFL Summer Tournament will be open to ALL teams from ALL leagues from ALL divisions.

Play teams and players that you would never normally have a chance to play.

ALL registration fees will go directly to Prize Money, Trophies and MVP Awards once costs are covered. That means the more teams that enter the greater the prize money! There will be prize money for all finalists and semi-finalists!

Never played in a tournament before? Don’t miss out on the fun. Challenge yourself and your team and see how you stack up with competition from across the city.

Divisional alignment will make sure you will have competition at your level.

The Games will be “tournament time” (1 hour games) so that means fast paced games where every touchdown and every defensive stop makes a difference.

All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 3 games!

When: Saturday July 18th and Sunday July 19th, 2009

Where: Optimist Park- All games played at one location

Why: A Chance to play different teams, to win money and have fun!

Cost: Early Bird Registration Deadline:July 3rd, 2009- $325
Regular Registration Deadline: July 10th, 2009- $350

*Insurance is included with registration
*Signed waivers are required by July 15th for teams and players not registered with the WTFL

Please send Cheque or Money Order to:

WTFL
908-90 Garry St
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4J4

Rosters will be “open” but must be declared by July 15th. One team per player.

Ladies, we will need at least 4 Women’s Teams to have a Women’s Division so talk to the other teams!

Questions? Contact craig@wtfl.ca or marc@wtfl.ca