From the Ice to the Field - Glenda Edie

The Lethbridge Steel have kicked off their 2022 season. The team has been providing a competitive atmosphere for female athletes in Lethbridge since its inaugural season in 2010. 

Glenda Edie is one of many rookies playing for the Steel this year. The Dugald, Manitoba native initially moved to Lethbridge to play for the now defunct women’s hockey team at the University of Lethbridge. She played for all five years of her university eligibility with the Pronghorns, and played for a year in Sweden following her university days. During her career she also served as an assistant coach for the University of Regina Cougars for one season, and as head coach of the Lethbridge Eagles for a number of years. 

“I really liked coaching. That was my way back into competitive sports, I missed the competitive atmosphere. I didn’t think football was the right fit for me then, so I went with coaching hockey.”

After coaching the Eagles from 2016 to 2019, Edie took a step back from her role as coach in order to start a family. Although she was still participating in recreational sports, Edie says she was still longing for something more competitive. That is what led her to try out for the Steel. 

“With an 11 month old baby at home I decided it was time to play competitive sports again!” Edie laughed. “It’s the only really competitive sport for women in Lethbridge that I know of. I know a lot of the girls that played in the past and they all loved it.”

Although there are a number of opportunities for women to play recreational sports in Lethbridge, when it comes to competitive sports for adult women, the options are limited. When asked for her thoughts on how we can grow women’s sports in the city, Edie says it comes down to awareness and financial backing. “There’s a lack of knowledge of women’s sport, and a lack of communication around it. We need more people who are willing to put in the work to get behind it and run the leagues, it can’t all be driven by making money. You have to put in the work to get it self sustaining.”

The Steel faced a tough and experienced Calgary team in their first home game on April 30th. Although the final score didn’t favour Lethbridge, Edie says her first game with the Steel was one to remember. “It was unbelievable! To go into the dressing room after the game with these women, everyone was so excited to be there. It was so fun to be back in that atmosphere. The crowd was fantastic, there were so many people out supporting us. It’s really great for women’s sports in Lethbridge.”

The Steel have been working hard in preparation for their next game. “I’m excited to get back out there and keep going. Everyone really wants to get better, making those little tweaks to make the blocks to get down the field. We’re watching the video from our last game and seeing all these little things we need to do, all these things Calgary has that we need to be doing.”

The Steel will hit the field at Victoria Sports Park in Raymond at 2PM on Saturday, May 21st, facing off against the Edmonton Storm. Come out for an afternoon of great football and support women’s sports in Southern Alberta!