Teen phenom Williams part of exciting future for Fearless

With a football resume that already includes the Manitoba Girls Football Association (MGFA), the Transcona Nationals midget team, and a roster spot with the Manitoba Fearless of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL), Ashley Williams was born to play this sport. Only 17 years old, Williams represents the future of feminine football not just in Manitoba, but in Canada.

Playing right tackle with Transcona Nationals, while lining up at the left for the Fearless, her versatility makes her a key member of any offensive line that she represents. Having grown up with a background in other sports, football has proven to be life changing, serving as a second family,

“I did also play baseball when I was younger for a few years, as well as ringette. After time I had noticed my foot was getting turned more on its side when I skated, and I could never straighten it for some reason.

That is when I stopped playing ringette and started football. I am really glad I started playing football as a sport. I feel that it has changed me, and for the better. I love playing football, and am so happy with my team mates, they are like family as well.”

Image supplied by Ashley Williams

Image supplied by Ashley Williams

Although her father had initially shown resistance to her gridiron ambitions, over potential injury concerns, her determination eventually resulted in him acquiescing to her request. Encouraged by her mother as well, Williams would make an impression in her first game,

“I started football when I was about 9 years old. I had started to play with the Transcona Nationals. I am not so sure what motivated me more to play. It was either to prove my dad wrong for telling me “Girls don’t play football, you don’t see girls in the NFL”, or if it was because I really believed I could be like my brothers Zack and Drew.

With the help of my mom, we finally convinced him. I think my mom was determined as well, to prove him wrong. Just before the season started, my dad had changed his mind about me playing as he didn’t want to see me get hurt. My mom said it was too late that it was a done deal, that I was registered already. I remember it was the first pre-season game that I had played and I had won a medal for most valuable offensive player. This is when my whole “football career” had started.”

While the MGFA represents a great example of sporting equality in Manitoba, it also allowed Cummings an opportunity to experience what it was like to play all-girls football. Like so many girls that have made the effort to try football through the MGFA, the result has been nothing short of enjoyable.

“After not playing for quite a few years, it was my first season back going back into football. Playing with the MGFA, it was exciting. Yet, I was nervous that I had never played on an all-girls team before, so I was not too sure what to expect. After the season it was a new feeling I had about it.

It was nice to meet girls my age wanting to do and play the same sport and it shocked me how a lot more girls really did play football. I enjoyed all the girls I played with and can see a lot of potential in their football careers. We had won the championship which was the very first championship I had won. It is tough, to say what I enjoyed most about playing in the MGFA.”

While her introduction to the league resulted in surprise, as she was surprised with the excitingly high number of girls who turned out to play, it would prove to be of great benefit to Williams. Juggling time with the Transcona Nationals, the MGFA enabled her to remain in playing condition,

“Girls football starts earlier than the Transcona Nationals, so I thought it would be a good experience, and was excited to play on an all-girls team. I thought it would get me back in shape. I was pretty surprised with how many girls there was, all interested in playing football. I was lucky that when the girls’ football season was ending the Transcona Nationals was starting.

After the MGFA season finished, my dad thought I was going to check out one of the practices for the Nationals. He was a little surprised when I came home with all my gear, and said I had signed up. He seemed pretty happy though. The Nationals were happy to have me there as well.”

Humble and graceful, Williams has shown a remarkable maturity beyond her years. Although she is a football prodigy, someone that may certainly be on Football Canada’s roster for the next edition of the IFAF Women’s Football World Championships (in 2017), Williams’ finest quality may be the acknowledgement of those who have helped her develop into such a rising star,

“Coach Kathy and Coach Jason with the MGFA, and Coach Matt and of course Coach Steve with the Transcona Nationals have influenced me in my playing career. I have spent many years with Coach Steve and Coach Matt. They are two of the greatest coaches and they are like family, having taught me tons.

When I played in the MGFA, we had won the championship. Also, last season when playing for the Transcona Nationals (midget team) we had won the championship there. I had got my Championship ring for that one.

We (Steve and Matt) have been through thick and thin, and had for the first time won championship together after several years of playing together. I am so happy that when we won the championship it was with those two coaches at my side, as they are the two coaches I have spent most of my years with. And last but not least Coach Bach from the Manitoba Fearless. Without all of these coaches, I would not be where I am today.

They all have been a great influence in my life, not only in football, but off the field as well, and I would like to thank them all very much for that from the bottom of my heart. My teammates are also a positive influence, both with the Nationals and the Fearless. We all push each other, to be the best we can be. They are all such great team mates, I think that is some of the reasons I continue to play as well.”

Considering that football is now practically a year-round passion for Wililams, her talents caught the attention of many in the football community. Among them was Lisa Zueff Cummings, who would eventually recruit Williams to play with the Manitoba Fearless.

“I have played girls’, women’s and the Nationals. So I basically play football almost year round. I have approx. 2-3 months off a year. I had played one year of the MGFA because I was 15. At that time, girls’ football only went up to 15.

In my season with the MGFA, I remember Coach Kathy introducing me to Lisa Cummings, who we all know as Zueff. Lisa had invited me out to watch one for the Manitoba Fearless games, and the rest is almost history.”

Among the people that have intersected in Williams’ remarkable football journey, Cummings is certainly one of those individuals that helped to positively shape her promising career. Acknowledging her efforts as a builder for girl’s and women’s football in Manitoba, Williams is in awe of her contributions,

“Lisa Cummings is definitely a positive influence on my playing career. She had helped create Manitoba Fearless with Tannis Wilson and without those women there would not be a Manitoba Fearless Women’s tackle football team.

She is a positive influence because I met her way back when I joined MGFA, and since then she has created nothing but smiles and life changes for many females. Whether I see her at practice or games, she is there to make sure that all players have fun and learn because really, that is what football is about. She influenced me to play my second year with the Fearless because of her high spirits and belief in me as a football player.

A very busy lady that is very dedicated, she puts in a lot of her time, volunteering with the MGFA, and the Manitoba Fearless. Yet, she is still running around with both her son and her daughter who are also in football.”

Making her debut with the Manitoba Fearless in 2014, the initial game was a baptism of fire.
Playing against the Regina Riot, the second winningest club in league history, it was a “Welcome to the WWCFL moment.” Despite a difficult loss, Williams remained graceful. Taking into account that some of the women opposing Williams were twice her age, it was a valiant effort. Reflecting on the positive aspects of the game and looking to build from it, such qualities constitute potential leadership in the future,

“We had taken a bus to Brandon to have a scrimmage game with the Regina Riot. It was shorter than I imagined due to another team having to play after our game. The point was for rookies to get an outlook and feel, for what it was like to play football. I guess you can say we took a spanking.

I already knew what it was like to play a game, but it was the first game for me for the all women’s team. It was a nice learning experience and very different because that was my first game against all women, rather than the girls team, or the boys team.”

As Williams continues to acquire more experience with the Fearless, she is poised to be one of the club’s building blocks on the offensive line. For now, Williams remains a student, eager to absorb as much as she can. Currently, she finds her inspiration in a pair of highly accomplished members of the roster,

“A couple of veterans that I look up to are: Kampy (nick name), along with Darla. These women are absolutely powerful & very strong at heart and in their minds. They both have played for a few years. They put so much work into themselves along with the Manitoba Fearless itself. They are so unbelievably empowering to the many people around them.”

Perhaps one day, Williams shall be in the position of mentor, with younger players looking to emulate her success. Representing a new generation of women ready to bring female football to the next level, she is equally an ambassador for the game in Manitoba, hoping to share her positive experiences with others and encourage them to follow their dreams,

“I love the game of football, and wish there was more opportunities out there with colleges. I am grateful that I had the chance and opportunity to play for all the years I did. I would like to encourage, all the other girls and women out there to give it a try. I am sure they would love it, wishing they would have tried it earlier. None of us who play football, would be where we are today, if it was not for each of the team mates, managers, and trainers who give the time and dedication into it.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply