Some say this was the greatest woman’s touch football team ever assembled. And that had they stayed together they could have won another 5 National championships. The Century Plaza Good Time Gals, Mardi Gras, Labatt’s Gals, Langara Fishing Lodge - the name changed as new sponsors were found, but winning was a constant.

Sharon Staples, Betty Watt, Debbie Moore, Laura Stewart, Trudy Lyons, Debbie Osbourne, Marla Britton, Cindy Whieldon, Devona Adams, Berni YUrkowski, Monique Lizee, Diane Perry, Debbie Huband, Cathy Morgan, Lynn LeClair, Corrina Campbell. Coached by Colin Farrell & Larry Doan

The team was put together by Colin Farrell [See Colin Farrell ], who was friends with Radar and Deb Osborne - he met with the players from their Women’s Seniors B Basketball team in a bar and asked them if they would like to play football. It was an opportunity to play another sport together and they revelled in it. Eventually Colin would recruit Larry Doan [See Larry Doan ] to coach.

““This was the highest level of football for women and we took it very seriously! All the girls did. We ran, lifted weights, and a lot of them played other sports at a high level in conjunction with Touch Football. But, we always came back to Touch Football. There was no other sport like it. It became a part of our daily lives, our Souls!” says Lynn LeClair. [See Lynn LeClair ]“Nothing was more important...Get to Nationals! We got up early or stayed late scouting teams...we had to win or give it all trying!!!” says Lynn LeClair.

"We practiced twice a week and often had 2 games on the weekend. Football was life!” echos Andrea Braumer.

"The best women’s receiver/defensive specialist was Debbie Huband, [See Debbie Huband ] ex National basketball Olympic captain. She wore #77 and her catches were amazing. She played unbelievable defence as well and intercepted regularly. Our Snapper/center, Betty Watt, was also consistently great and played on the defensive line as well. Lynn LeClair was another fantastic receiver who had lightning speed and also Trudy Lyons was remarkable. These tremendous athletes always played both off. and def. I remember throwing what I thought were impossible catches, but these players managed to get to them. We used audibles frequently depending on the defense played and, post-corners and vice-versa, when we were up against man-on were almost consistently touchdowns. These players knew how to move and were fast and unstoppable.
Similarly, our defence, was feared, as our zones and man-on were tough to penetrate," says QB Radar

“In retrospect it was a very special team and we were unbeatable for many years. I think that it was the love of sport and the athletic background that we possessed. Having two amazing QB’s was fundamental to our success. Then having athletic, quick receivers with good hands made us able to elevate for receptions. We ran strong, disciplined patterns. Defensively we swarmed teams and made it difficult to march the ball against us. We were solid in every position including kicking, rushing, snapping and punt/kick off return." says Deb Huband.

The team adopted Pink flamingos as their mascots and during the heated Kaban-Gals rivalries it would not be uncommon to find a be-headed pink flamingo ornament on your front lawn the morning of a big playoff game.

The team was also known for its off-field shows:
“We had an amazing time on and off the field. We had annualy “talent shows” at the May bowl in Kelowna that included dances, songs, skits, poems and more." And of course there's the untold story of the shoes.

Mardi Gras won 6 National Championships before personality differences caused them to split into two teams. “We destroyed what would have been one of the best teams ever assembled,” says Deb Hubband. “We had built a dynasty and could have keep it going for much longer had we worked out our internal problems.”

Their biggest rivals with-in the league came from Kaban.
Players for Kaban: Joyce Chow, Jessica Ciachurski, Lil Collins, Monica Hayes [See Monica Hayes ], Tracey huclack, Kelly Keenan, Laurie Keenan, Pat McGuire, Leslie McManus, Cathie Nicol, Janice Robinson, Debbie Smallwood, Victoria Taylor, Sandi Grisenthwaite. Coached by Arlene Burden and Peter Gabriel
“Before the split the top players on the other teams included Tracey Hukaluk, Calli O’Brien, Jessica Hayes, Mountain Mary.... “and then after our team split into two, our biggest opponents were each other,” says Deb.

The two teams that came from the break up:

KATS -- Killer, Annie, Trudy, Sarah and Lynne --- actually KATS stood for Killer And The Streaks.
Coached by Larry Doan - who felt he had been handed a winning team with Mardi Gras. And took it as a challenge to build the Kats into National champions. After Laura and Trudy stopped playing, Tracey Huckaluk , Andrea Scnider and Debbie Smallwood put together the Reign with the majority of the players still from the Kats.

The Meralomas - The true star of the Meralomas was coach Mike Miller. Without his guidance, expertise, knowledge of the game and his ability to coach women, we wouldn’t have been the succes we were. In regards to the players, each and every player was a star. If someone was not there, you noticed their absence. The camaraderie on this team was like nothing I have ever experienced. If you were fortunate enough to see the talent shows at the Best Western in Kelowna on the May long weekend, you’d know what I was talking about. On and off the field, the players on this team were amazing. Radar, Rocket, Balls, Sharoon, Sweaty Betty, Hubba, Ozzie, Tifster, Roo, Roj, Calli and myself - Frogger (Andrea B)

Women's National MVP awards:
Laura Stewart Labatt's Dry - 1989 MVP Offence
Calli O'Brien Labatt's Dry - 1991 MVP offence
Andrea Brauner Labatt's Dry - 1991 MVP Defence
Deb Huband Mardi Gras - 1986 Defence MVP
Meralomas - 1992 Offence MVP
Tiffany Chester Meralomas - 1993 MVP offence
Lynne LeClair Mardi Gras - 1986 Offence MVP
Kats - 1993 Defensive MVP

Tiffany Chester is a phenomenal athlete and an amazing receiver. If Tiffany couldn’t catch the ball, then the ball was nowhere near her. From diving feats to jumping heights, the girl had glue on her hands."

-Andrea Brauner

Betty Watt "The best little (she was short and wiry) snapper there was, she could snap a ball any where the QB’s wanted it to go, straight back, to the left or right, while they were on the move and she had good hands to catch the short quick slant pass. She made Radar, Killer and Calli all look good. "

-Marla Britton

Radar was a short game wizard. Not that she could not throw the long ball but she was a surgeon with her passes in the short game. She could march the ball 110 yards and could gain momentum for the team through extended offensive possessions. She was an unique and special personality who brought alot of fun to the game. Radar and her best pal Ossie were well know for their popularity with the “fellows” and their Summertime routine."

-Deb Huband

Most memorable game? 1991 Fall Provincial Finals, it was the Kats vs Labatts Dry/Langara Fishing Lodge. The Kats were up 21-0 at half time. On the last drive of the game, Labatts came back to tie the game 21-21. It went into double-overtime and Labatts won in converts. It was probably the most exciting game I have ever played in, in any sport. This was a huge win as this was back in the day when the Provincial Champs were given a sizeable amount of money to go back to Nationals."

-Andrea Brauner

It was a thrill and a priviledge for me to coach and hang out with these talented, fun people...some of the best memories I will ever have...

-Larry Doan