Alex Babiarz-Graveline grows as leader in great contribution with Team Alberta

Among the great legacies of the 2016 Canadian women’s nationals was the opportunity for players to grow as leaders, enjoying new experiences while subsequently making history. Such opportunities helped to define the Team Alberta experience for Alex Babiarz-Graveline, making her debut at Nationals.

Calling the Lethbridge Steel her club team, Babiarz-Graveline is no stranger to history. Starting last season, the Steel boasted Kessie Stefanyk, the first female head coach in Canadian football history. Proudly playing for Stefanyk, she has seen first-hand how hard she has worked to keep the Steel in contention in the WWCFL’s Western Conference. The fact that Stefanyk was also among the coaches with Team Alberta not only added to the sense of history at Nationals, but it was part of an empowering sense of achievement.

Helping to set the tone, Babiarz-Graveline certainly made a positive impressive as her efforts would culminate with an invitation to the next round of tryouts for Canada’s national women’s team. Such a hallmark in her career represents a bigger story for her, as she emerges from Nationals with a lifetime of memories,

“Playing for Team Alberta was an amazing experience. I’m hopeful that others or little girls who watched want to be a part of this sport. It helped me grow within the sport in a short time.

Putting on that beautiful Team Alberta Jersey and stepping out on to the field for the first time as a team was a memory I will never forget. Playing for your province is an amazing feeling (as) you are representing a province, and we were classy on and off the field.”

Undoubtedly, a key priority for Babiarz-Graveline was the chance to contribute towards a podium finish for Team Alberta. With a team that was assembled together at a rapid pace, with little time to prepare let alone get acquainted, players only knowing each others as rivals in the WWCFL’s Western Conference, the nationals represented a key defining point for the female game in Alberta, while presenting the players with a chance at redemption.

“For Team Alberta, the last time they had nationals they were in last place. Everyone on our team wanted to do better. To show everyone else that football is being played in Alberta. When we came together as a team in two short weeks, I believe we proved something to the other teams and maybe even team Canada.

I loved representing Alberta on and off the field and I truly believe finishing with a Bronze medal put Alberta on the map for football.”

Lining up beside competitors from the Calgary Rage, Edmonton Storm and Grande Prairie Northern Anarchy did not represent any tensions for Babiarz-Graveline. In ruminating on the experience of playing alongside her rivals in such a unique setting, it becomes evident that a significant aspect of growth (as a player and leader) involved the fact that the game encompassed more than just existing alongside traditional rivals. It represented an opportunity to work together as a cohesive unit.

As Babiarz-Graveline reflects, all players that donned the white and blue jersey for Team Alberta understood that hard work had to overcome any personal or selfish pride which would certainly not contribute towards a positive outcome at Nationals. Along with the germination of a pop culture phenomenon, everything seemed to perfectly fall into place for an ambitious Alberta squad,

“Everyone always expects some sort of trouble when teams come together who are rivals. But it wasn’t like that at all. We were all there for the same reason. We wanted to represent Alberta and come home with a medal. We all knew we had work to do. We played like we were together the whole time.

Players from the Rage, Storm, Anarchy and the Steel know that this beautiful game is a team sport and if one falls everyone does. Needless to say we did not want to let our teammates down.

I gained so many friends from each of the teams, plus Pokemon Go was released prior and that was something we did in our downtime in Regina, or eat pasta.”

Despite the regional differences, a newfound familiarity has led to a mutual respect that may sow the seeds of optimism to come. With coach Carlo (as described by Babiarz-Graveline) setting the tone with his memorable quote “If she ain’t wearing blue and white, say goodnight”, she is already pondering the next Nationals with the chance to build on a solid showing,

“The next time we play any of the teams will be different. On the field will be a battle, but once that last whistle goes you better believe we will all come together. It’s all about a game we all play, a game we fell in love with. If we don’t respect our opponents we might not have a chance to play them. Or even have a league. We want to grow this sport at least that’s my goal.”

Naturally, the growth encompasses more than just the players who grace the gridiron. From the impact of family, the individuals that define the off-field team for all players and coaches alike, the fans are also an unforgettable component in this equation.

Gracefully acknowledging the efforts of the fans who drove across the Prairies to attend the games, their dedication defined a key reason why the players make such sacrifices. For Babiarz-Graveline, she is also grateful for the support of one of the most important people in her life, only adding to the sense of jubilation,

“To the fans that drove up to Regina, thank you. I know my mother works nights and left at 9am on Thursday and (she) showed up to my game at Mosaic Field for 4pm. Thank you for your support.
I just want to make a shout out to the coaches. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping us and pushing us past our limits to play better and smarter. Coach Eric did a great job bringing all the players and the coaches together. Watch out for the next nationals.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Image obtained from Facebook

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