Krista Ford will hit the football field this fall as captain of the Toronto Triumph, the first official Lingerie Football League team in Canada.
The 20-year-old niece of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will play middle linebacker for the team.
The Lingerie Football League brands itself as a fan-driven sport offering "action, impact and beauty," and already has 11 teams in the United States. Ms. Ford's team will compete in the league's eastern conference against the Cleveland Crush, Baltimore Charm, Philadelphia Passion, Tampa Breeze and Orlando Fantasy.
The Lingerie Football League says it will create a separate, all-Canadian league beginning in September of next year, with six teams, including Toronto. No locations have been announced yet, but the league says it is considering Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, Montreal, Hamilton, Ottawa and a city in B.C.
Ms. Ford's father, Councillor Doug Ford, said he wasn't initially comfortable with his daughter joining the league, but added, "I always support my kids in any endeavour they get involved in."
Mr. Ford said Krista has been working out for a few hours every day in preparation for the football season. "I know she looks forward to starting the season, she's really excited," he said.
He added his brother, the mayor, is already asking when her first game is so he can come cheer her on.
Players in the Lingerie Football League wear traditional football shoulder padding on top of tight shorts and bikini-style tops. They also sport helmets, knee pads and elbow pads.
Ms. Ford, who will begin her second year studying business administration at Humber College in the fall, played football throughout high school. She told friends on her Facebook fan page that playing football has been her dream since she was a child. "Most little girls want to be veterinarians, peacekeepers or princesses," she wrote. "I grew up wanting to play football with the boys."
The Toronto Triumph's first game of the season is set for Saturday, September 17, against the Tampa Breeze at Ricoh Coliseum.