Shattering barriers

Sharpe part of exciting time in Manitoba women’s football

With the growth of women’s tackle football in Manitoba, it represents an exciting time. Part of this golden age of gridiron growth features the women who compete with the WWCFL’s Winnipeg-based football squads. Among those remarkable women is Ashley Sharpe. Donning number 33 for the Manitoba Fearless, she is part of a group of remarkable women helping to shatter barriers.

A multi-tanelted athlete with an extensive sporting background, Sharpe was a perfect fit to compete on the gridion. In addition to a multitude of sports as a child, she also competed at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level in another sport where women had shattered barriers.

“As a child, I grew up dancing, swimming and playing baseball and soccer. As I got older, I turned to hockey in junior high, rugby in high school and then wrestled for a short time at the University of Manitoba.”

Having had an absence from sport, her exposure to football revived her enthusiasm for fitness and competition. Motivating her to become a better athlete and sticking to a regimented plan to remain fit, the opportunity to grace the gridiron is one that has provide Sharpe with significant reward.

“It has been nearly 10 years since I played on a team and I felt it was time to commit to one again. I find my fitness goals are better achieved when I am part of a team. Being a member of the Fearless was a perfect fit. It offers me both a physical and mental challenged like no other sport I have ever played.”

As the Fearless enjoyed a postseason berth in 2012, the club is eager to contend once again for a spot in 2014. With 2013 having served as a season of transition due to the amount of rookies, Sharpe is prepared to help a more experienced club contend. One key positive regarding 2013 is the fact that the club had an active roster of 47 players, the largest in team history. With great optimism, Sharpe’s dedication to her team and the game is part of an overall team philosophy which is also one of her favorite aspects of being a member of the club,

“I love that our team is dedicated to the sport of football and accountable to each member of the team.”

When not on the gridiron, Sharpe is employed an elementary school teacher. Occupying the admirable role of an educator, she is providing her students with a real-life example of values such as commitment, teamwork and sacrifice. Her remarkable skills in the classroom certainly provide her with the maturity, leadership and patience necessary to learn to excel at the game while providing guidance for the rookies on the team.

“As a teacher, I believe my students see me as a positive role model who seeks to live a healthy lifestyle. They are usually pretty surprised to find out that I play in a tackle league.”

Part of her role as a football player is also giving back. With many members of the Fearless donating their time to girls football clinics, a sincere commitment is made to help provide quality coaching for the next generation of feminine football heroes. Of note, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL have also contributing by holding a women’s clinic. Sharpe was one of the volunteers at the clinic and her educational attributes complemented her well on that day. Her participation also brought back some fond memories of her own rookie experiences.

“I enjoyed helping out at the Bombers Women’s Clinic. A few Fearless ladies helped to gear up the participants for a fun photo shoot. Hearing their comments about the weight of the gear and how hot it got was enjoyable, as it reminded me of my first time gearing up. It would be interesting to participate in a clinic between the Bombers and Fearless. Who knows which team would learn more!”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

 

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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