The pending open tryouts for Abbotsford's lingerie football team are leaving some up-and-coming female athletes with a dilemma: is it worth stripping off most of their uniform -- not to mention protective gear -- to play professionally?
Michelle Cheong has played national soccer and touch rugby for her home country Singapore, currently plays in B.C.'s Touch Football League, and is considering applying for Abbotsford's recently-announced lingerie squad.
But Cheong, who says she plays two to three times per week with "amazing women" who have no trouble outperforming their male counterparts, sees the arrival of the Lingerie Football League as a mixed blessing.
"It's such an amazing opportunity to get to play as professionally as possible," Cheong said. "Playing in lingerie is definitely the other side of the equation. Will I be willing to play in lingerie? Would that detract from the actual sport itself? I'm not sure."
B.C.'s team, dubbed the Angels, will operate out of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre beginning on Aug. 25. The players will don knickers, garters, helmets, and shoulder pads that don't extend to the bust line.
Cheong says certain sports warrant revealing uniforms because the clothing can interfere with play. But contact football is among the most punishing mainstream sports, and professional athletes wear extensive padding for a reason.
"If you watch football, you see how much gear they wear. They're always coming up with new gear to help improve the sport and minimize the injuries," she said.
The BC Angels, who were named via online fan voting, will debut along with four other yet-unannounced Canadian cities set to join the league this year. The Toronto Triumph will also be returning.
The LFL says tryout dates will be announced shortly, and for players like Cheong, their arrival will bring tough decisions.
"Half of me really loves the idea of playing football," she said. "The other half doesn't know if I'm ready to play in lingerie."
