The Crew added a Sun Bowl title to their Cowichan Women’s Football League championship, but a team that travelled from Toronto to Duncan for the Pacific Northwest Women’s Football Championships didn’t go home empty-handed.
Fresh off winning their first CWFL title since 2017, the Crew won the Top Flight Division at Sun Bowl 35, defeating the Vancouver Thunder Cats 13-6 in the final. 4QT, who came all the way from Toronto, took top prize in the Almost Top Flight Division, beating the CWFL’s Law 26-7 in the final.
Although only 11 teams competed in the tournament after a two-year break, organizer Chris Mann felt it was one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history.
“It was a starting point, and yes, the future looks bright for Sun Bowl and women’s flag football, to grow to their potential once again,” Mann said. “Players and coaches were excited to be back on the field and having this year’s competition so intense.”
The 4QT coach told Mann he felt it was one of the best tournaments he had ever attended, and hopes to return next year, perhaps with two teams.
“Many of the players said they were so happy to be back at Sun Bowl and playing in the one tournament they look forward to every year,” Mann noted.
Rounding out the pack in the Top Flight Division were the Vancouver Panthers in third, followed by the Duncan Shehawks and Vancouver Bomb Squad. Third place in Almost Top Flight went to the Cowichan Wild, followed by the Duncan Incredibles, the Vancouver Sharks and the Cowichan Ruckers.
Kerri Hill of the Sharks and Shanya Murape of 4QT were named Best Offensive Players, and Janelle Mould of the Crew and Natasha Ramsinghani of 4QT were named Best Defensive Players. 4th QT were named the Most Sportsmanlike Team, while the Bomb Squad received the Spirit Award. Kaili Lukan, the Crew’s superstar rookie, was named Sun Bowl MVP.
Mann thanked the Cowichan Valley Regional District, 49th Parallel Grocery and Beverly Corners Liquor Store for sponsorship, the City of Duncan for getting McAdam Park in top shape, the Cowichan Bulldogs for running the concession, the Leaguers Ball Team for operating the beer gardens, Victoria Massage School for helping with various ailments, the Storm for helping with cleanup, and Wendy Mann and Rachel Paddle for their help organizing Sun Bowl.
