The Banting Marauders Junior Boys Football team has gained three new players – who happen to be girls.

"You can call me a girly girl, but as soon as the game starts, I'm just like one of the guys," said #19 inside and outside linebacker Ayla Schofield.

The girls, who are in grade nine, said other sports didn’t challenge them enough.

"I played soccer…Ii always found that slow. And flag football I always got in trouble because I was physical and I kind of ran into them and I wasn't supposed to," said #13 running back Sahara Haas.

This isn’t the first time a girl has joined a boys’ team, but it is the first time three are playing on the same team.

"It was a little weird at first,” said outside linebacker Jillian Melling. “My parents didn't really like it. I've gotten used to it and the boys have gotten used to it, because it was a little weird at first, but they treat us the same."

The coach of the Marauders says the girls are treated just like everyone else on the field, and the team’s competitors agree. 

“It’s a little distracting at times I guess,” said Eastview’s Tyler Hopper. “Other than that, there's no difference. They hit just as hard, those girls play just as well, so I see no reason why they couldn't play with us."