RDP Queens look to leverage national soccer success in 2026 ACAC Futsal campaign

Fifteen members of the national bronze-medal-winning Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens are carrying their momentum indoors as they shift from the outdoor pitch to the fast-paced hard court of the 2026 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Futsal season. 

The group includes Ava Balon (Bachelor of Education), Grace Smith (Bachelor of Business Administration), Jattu Sesay (Bachelor of Kinesiology), Zoe Fitzsimmons (Bachelor of Kinesiology), Olivia Lundell (Educational Assistant), Paige Kalbfleisch (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Kaia Bray (Bachelor of Business Administration), Jaeda Marquart (Practical Nurse Diploma), Kiera McIntosh (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences), Payton Erick (Bachelor of Business Administration), Isabella Pritchard (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Kyra Remekie (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences), Yuri Umino (Academic Upgrading), Maria Torres Herrera (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and goalkeeper Jana Leskewich (Bachelor of Education). Together, they form a roster aiming to translate outdoor success into an ACAC Futsal medal.  

The transition has been swift. Fresh off their Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) bronze, the RDP Queens wasted no time preparing for the indoor season. Their training has included seven versus seven competition in the Calgary Premier League, a move Head Coach Mahziar Peyrow says has kept the group sharp.  

"The Queens played the next day after nationals and they've been going ever since, so they're in decent shape," he explains. 

Last season marked the Queens' return to ACAC Futsal after a 12‑year hiatus. Although they missed the playoffs, the experience provided a foundation on which to build. Peyrow sees significant growth heading into 2026.  

"Last year, we were figuring things out," he says. "This year, we made some adjustments and want to earn an ACAC medal."  

With soft feet, strong first touches and quick ball movement, he believes the Queens' possession game and counterattack will be major strengths. 

The season will begin in Grande Prairie, where Red Deer Polytechnic will face Northwest Division opponents—the Concordia Thunder, NAIT Ooks and Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves—on January 31 and February 1. Peyrow emphasizes that converting chances and maintaining defensive discipline will be key. 

The Queens will play three more regular season games in later February.  

ACAC Women's Futsal has three divisions: Northeast (Keyano College, Portage College, Lakeland College and The King's University), Northwest and South (Medicine Hat College, SAIT, Ambrose University and Lethbridge Polytechnic).  

The top two teams from each division, along with two wildcard teams, during the regular season will qualify for the ACAC Women's Futsal Championships held March 20-22, 2026. 

Kalbfleisch (10)