Family affair

Mother & daughter tandem make Valkyries history suiting up alongside each other

As the Saskatoon Valkyries strive for their fifth consecutive WWCFL championship, one of the unique subplots involves a very special pair of teammates. Comprising the first mother-daughter duo to suit up for the Valkyries, Crystal and Samantha Matheson both bring strong sporting backgrounds to the gridiron.

Second year running back Samantha began her athletic endeavors on the rugby pitch. As a side note, her two younger sisters currently compete in rugby as well. Their mother Crystal, competing as a defensive back in her rookie season with the club, brings a softball background.

Of note, the club is not the first in WWCFL history to feature a mother-daughter duo. In their only season, the now-defunct Okotoks Lady Outlaws (competing in the Western Conference) also featured a mother and daughter, Heather Coonfer and Drew Nelson as teammates.

Making their debut as teammates in a commanding 75-0 whitewash of the overwhelmed Winnipeg Wolf Pack, Samantha ranked second among all players with a superb 100-yard rushing performance. With one championship already under her belt, Samantha brings a confident, relaxed spirit to the game, one that comes from success. Her performance was complemented by Crystal providing a valiant effort in her inaugural WWCFL appearance, recording two solo tackles and assisting on another.

Adding to the emotion of the memorable game for a jubilant mother and daughter was the fact that the game was held on Mother’s Day. With Crystal’s husband Adam in attendance, he was joined by their three other children, there was a worshipful atmosphere in a day of celebration that shall be cherished for many years to come.

“Playing with Sam this year has been a pretty amazing experience but Mother’s Day was kind of surreal. I had goose bumps when we ran onto the field, I turned and gave her a hug and said good luck like usual. I never realized how many people we had brought into the stands until halftime, I am very glad that we have such a great support system and very loud cheering section.”

Within their covenant is a deep mutual respect, along with a respect for the game. Crystal definitely possesses a great feeling of pride and admiration in her daughter’s success. Having seen her daughter contribute to the Valkyries championship run in 2014 at the tender age of 19 (becoming the first team in Canadian female football history to capture four titles in a row), Crystal would enjoy the opportunity to emulate such success.

“Sam as an athlete has always amazed me, her dedication her skill and her true love for the sport. She told me it would become an addiction and I think she’s right. Her ability to cut and get through with the utmost determination on every play has given me the grit to be just like her on the field just in a different position.”

While mother and daughter have contributed a new and exciting chapter to the Valkyries history, adding to the growing mythology of women’s football in Western Canada, their profound connection on the gridiron represents extraordinary possibilities. Among those possibilities would be the chance for Crystal and Samantha to capture a championship together.

“I was there last year when she won with the team their 4th championship and it was a pretty amazing experience watching her do it. If we were able to accomplish this together it will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience and I look forward to making this happen and growing as a player from her as well as all my fantastic teammates and amazing coaches.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”