SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Covering drills, skills and technique, the River City Grizzlies, a women’s tackle football team in Sacramento, held its tryouts for the team’s second season in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) on Nov. 1 at Hagginwood Park.

Head coach and offensive coordinator for the Grizzlies, Brian McCann, said that women’s tackle football in Sacramento is making a second resurgence after growing largely in the early 2000s and tapering in the 2010s. McCann said he used to coach for the Sacramento Sirens offensive and defensive line, starting in 2001 and did so for about eight years. He said that coaching the Grizzlies is all about player development.  

Head coach of the River City Grizzlies Brian McCann instructs potential players about the drills they are expected to complete during tryouts at Hagginwood Park in Del Paso Heights on Nov. 1. Photo by Seth Henderson

“I'd like to see 30 or 40 players out here,” McCann said. “Our coaching staff is dedicated to building the players up and really teaching them because a lot of these women have never played football. Some of them have never played any sports.”

McCann said that a player's decision-making process is crucial both on and off the field, saying that things done correctly on the field translate to correct actions in life. He said that coaching is about developing a winning mentality. 

South Sacramento resident Dallas Arnold, a wide receiver and free safety for the Grizzlies, said that one thing she is most proud of, entering her second year with the team, is the determination to never give up, even if the team is short on players compared to other teams in the league. She also said that representing Sacramento is a highlight for her, playing games against other teams across the country. 

“We don't have a lot of things that we can glorify as a city besides our soccer and basketball team,” Arnold said. “We don't have a lot of things to glorify for women and a lot of women can come out and see what it is.
It might be something that they might bring their kids to.” 

Arnold said she is a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoys watching college football to see how the players develop, following their journey to the National Football League. 

Team owner, fullback and linebacker, Neshele Renee, said that the WFA is the perfect league to empower and exemplify equality for women. She also said that she was glad to give the women on the team an opportunity to play the sport.

Renee said her goal for the Grizzlies this season is to put up more numbers across the board, including increased community engagement and hiring new coaches. 

“We're building a real sisterhood here. The girls are naturally just supportive of each other, and it's a great space to grow on and off the field, Renee said. “There's some girls who have previously been on the fence, and now football is kind of their life. Because it is more of a culture than anything.” 

Renee said that some girls are weary about the physical aspect of the game, but that the game is more mental than anything. She said the physicality is easy to get used to once the mental acuity has been established. When it comes to tackling, Renee said it’s all about technique and that the adrenaline softens the blows. 

As a 49er fan, Renee said she tries to watch as many games as possible, keeping up with how the sport is evolving each week. 

Miniya Roots, a running back and safety for the Grizzlies, said that she was a student athlete in high school, playing basketball and running track and field, but this year was her second season playing tackle football with the Grizzlies. 

Roots scored the Grizzlies first touchdown of the organization’s history last year late in the season against the SoCal Magic, saying that it felt good because the team was looking to redeem itself. 

“You should come out and join the team because you get to meet a lot of cool people, and also get to see what you're capable of,” Roots said. 

Female athletes trying out for the River City Grizzlies women’s tackle football team participate in a broad jump exercise at Hagginwood Park in Del Paso Heights on Nov. Photo by Seth Henderson

Roots said she has a cousin that previously played for the Sacramento Sirens, who encouraged Roots to join the WFA with the River City Grizzlies. When she’s not on the field, Roots is an instructional aide at a charter school in Sacramento. 

McCann said the Grizzlies are still looking for more players and more coaches to build out a full roster, as well as more sponsors to help with securing fields to practice or play on. Sponsorships would also help with game travel, uniforms and other operational functions the team needs to participate in WFA activities.

McCann said the team does not currently have a regular practice field agreement, but likes the Hagginwood Park location, due to its central commuting distance for many of the players and coaches. The Grizzlies played home games last season at River City High School and look to set an agreement up with the school again this season. He said any turf field with lights would be ideal. 

Football coaches with experience teaching high school, college, semi-pro or professional athletes are encouraged to reach out to the Grizzlies staff for employment opportunities. McCann said that some players are ready to start at their position, while others have yet to play a live snap at their position, so a focus on sportsmanship and development are aspects the team is looking to build on. 

Last season for a game in Los Angeles, McCann was asked to coach a few practices and a game due to scheduling issues. He said the team won and that Renee asked McCann to come back and coach full time this season.  

Renee said the Grizzlies are aspiring to partner with the Sacramento State Athletics program in promoting or implementing women’s tackle football via a partnership and are looking to work with the university if it makes sense for both parties. 

The River City Grizzlies are holding a Jersey Party Fundraiser on Nov. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Radclyffe’s Bar in Downtown Sacramento for $5 at the door, featuring music, drinks, raffles, karaoke and more. Radclyffe’s Bar is located at 1330 H St. #110. A flyer for the event said to “Ask about the Grizzly Special” when at the bar. 

The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and more information about the organization can be found on its website at https://www.rivercitygrizzlies.com/. To follow the organization on social media, visit https://www.instagram.com/rivercitygrizzlies/?hl=en