The B.C. Lions are the first CFL team to hire a full-time female coach, adding Tanya Walter as a defensive assistant Tuesday.

The native of Forestburg, Alta., began coaching at EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton in 2017 and continued through last season.

B次元官网网址淚 am honoured and grateful to the Lions organization for providing me the opportunity to make this significant step in my coaching career,B次元官网网址� Walter said in a statement. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 wait to get to work with this Lions team.B次元官网网址�

Walter began playing football in 2013 with the Edmonton Storm of the Western WomenB次元官网网址檚 Canadian Football League. She also played for AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 provincial squad as well as the Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 team that won a silver medal at the 2017 IFAF womenB次元官网网址檚 world championship event.

B次元官网网址淚 am excited for the opportunity to add Tanya to our coaching staff,B次元官网网址� said Rick Campbell, the Lions head coach and co-GM. B次元官网网址淎long with her experience and dedication to the game of football, TanyaB次元官网网址檚 work ethic and enthusiasm will be valuable to our entire team.B次元官网网址�

Walter has also served as a guest coach with the Canadian Junior Football leagueB次元官网网址檚 Edmonton Huskies as well as an assistant with the West Edmonton Raiders girls tackle football squad.

B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press