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For a team which prides itself on being road warriors, the Saskatoon Valkyries are more than happy to be on their home turf for Western Women’s Canadian Football League playoffs.
Their first test is now set for Saturday at SMF Field in Saskatoon, as the 4-0 Valkyries will play their first do-or-die game of the season against the Manitoba Fearless in the Prairie Football Conference title game.
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“We do look at it as an advantage,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry.
“We’re not getting on a bus and that’s pretty exciting for us. We’re very pleased that we took care of business and we’re able to host Manitoba in the Prairie Conference final.”
The Valkyries have been as well rested as any team in the league, as they’ve only played one game since May 24 and earned a bye in the Prairie Conference semifinal.
That one game came against the Fearless on June 7, which saw the Valkyries steal a 25-11 victory in blazing heat and wind over Manitoba.
While the team has been riding high this season, Barry said playoffs are a different animal entirely for the athletes on his young roster.
“The intensity ramps up quite a bit,” Barry said. “We just have to make sure that they understand that. We’ve already had some challenging games against (Manitoba) and we have to take it to an even higher level starting on Saturday.”
The Fearless are fresh off a 25-9 win against the Regina Riot in their playoff opener last weekend and are the only other team in the Prairie Conference to reach three wins on the season.
Barry is expecting their fiercest opponent of the season yet after two hard-nosed games against Manitoba already this spring.
“They for sure I would say are the most physical team in the league in both conferences,” Barry said.
“You do have to prepare for that. You have to try to match their level and you have to try to play for the entire 60 minutes, that’s going to be our goal on Saturday.”
Saskatoon Valkyries quarterback Julia Smith throwing a pass in a 30-7 victory over the Regina Riot on May 24, 2026. (Victor Pankratz, Saskatoon Valkyries/Submitted)
The Valkyries have kept up their historic WWCFL win streak, which now sits at 43 consecutive victories dating back to the team’s most recent loss in the 2018 WWCFL championship game nearly eight years ago.
Barry credits a big part of that success this season to the emergence of their receivers and defensive backs making big plays, as well as the development of second-year starting quarterback Julia Smith.
“She’s taken another step forward and that’s a big deal for us,” Barry said. “Having had a very talented quarterback for many years in Alex Eyolfson, that’s an area I’ve seen a lot of growth.”
With a win Saturday, the Valkyries can punch their ticket to the WWCFL title game and continue their quest for a sixth consecutive league title.
It’s one step at a time according to Barry though, as he’s seen his group execute at a high level once the football is booted through the air.
“As a coach, you know our job is done once things get started there,” Barry said.
“We’re always hopeful that we can put our athletes in the best position to succeed. Once that whistle goes and it kicks off, that’s where our players tend to shine.”
The Valkyries (4-0) and Fearless (3-2) will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with the winner facing either the Edmonton Arctic Pride or Calgary Rage in the 2026 WWCFL Championship.
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