Sisters to don Team Alberta colours

By Lethbridge Herald on June 27, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Alaxis and Taya Pierson are set to represent Team Alberta football clubs next month.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge football playing sisters are set to suit up for Football Alberta provincial female teams next month.

Alaxis Pierson made the Football Alberta U18 provincial female team that will compete at a national championship tournament in Calgary later in July, while sister Taya made the inaugural U16 Team Alberta female team.

“I was so excited to hear that I had made the team after all the hard work that I had  put in and the hours that I have sacrificed in preparing for this,” said Alaxis, who also  plays for the LCI Rams varsity football team .

“It was really amazing to feel it all payoff and get an awesome reward like this.”

Alaxis was unsure of what to expect going into tryouts with it being her first time playing with the girls.

“The girls were all super nice, the coaches were super good, and excited and passionate about football,” said Alaxis.

“I could tell that everyone there just wanted to be there, everyone wanted to compete, and everyone wanted a spot on the team, and they really worked for it.”

Alaxis is excited for Taya getting to chance to play on the U16 female squad.

“I’m pretty proud of her and I’m really excited to hopefully maybe be one day playing with her on the U18 team,” said Alaxis.

“I feel like we help each other a lot because I’ll help her with her plays or practicing or getting ready and she’ll help me back.”

Alaxis has been playing football since she was eight years old, where she began with the Taber Rebels and played in that program until bantam, and then after dealing with some injuries she tried out for the U16 boys Southern Alberta South Knights team where she made the roster at the running back and linebacker positions.

She also suited up for the U13 Alberta Selects, where she won a championship and after that came back to play Alberta International Selects at the U14 and U15 levels.

“I’ve learned that it teaches you a lot about teamwork and it doesn’t only prepare you for everyday situations, but for your life afterwards,” said Alaxis.

Justin Tillery is the Team Alberta U18 defensive coordinator, and the Lethbridge Rams bantam head coach and he has familiarity with Alaxis with seeing her play in Taber and with the Alberta International Selects.

“I know she had a few injuries but coming back (and) seeing her as strong as she is, and her willingness to still compete at that high level, it’s great to see, and I’m excited for the opportunity to coach her again. She’s put in the work, she’s definitely earned that spot on the team,” said Tillery.

For Taya, the tryouts were nerve-wracking.

“It was kinda sketchy the first day too because it was raining really hard,” said Taya.

“So, our first try-out was in a locker room, it was really crowded, and humid and hot but it was pretty good.”

Taya is looking forward to learning about playing the game in a different way with the 6-a-side style.

“It’s weird at first but I’m looking forward to (learning) more about it and to play more of it,” said Taya.

Taya describes Alaxis as a football nerd.

“She’s always forcing me to go outside to play football and pass with her and she’s wanting me to learn more and help with her things,” said Taya.

Taya has been playing football for three years with the Rebels where she began in atom and worked her way up to through the program and she had the Alberta Selects experience in Red Deer and Airdrie for two years.

“That was a great experience to have because of all the coaches, I learned a lot of things there,” said Taya, on the Selects experience.

Alaxis is part of the U18 Female football team that will be competing at the Football Canada National Championship from July 20-26 in Calgary, while Taya will be at the U16 showcase game against Team BC on July 8 in Kelowna.