Mickey Duda a rookie sensation for the Edmonton Storm

As the most accomplished team in the Western Conference of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL), the Edmonton Storm have no shortage of dynamic talents. Adding to this remarkable group is the efforts of Mickey Duda. Entering the 2016 season, the efforts of this rookie sensation is testament to the prodigious talent that shall define the league’s future.

With an athletic background throughout her youth, Duda’s formative years also included a love of the gridiron game. Having contemplated gracing the gridiron for the 2016 WWCFL season, Duda’s arrival in Edmonton was far from assured. Living in close proximity to both Edmonton and Calgary, home to the one of the premier rivalries in league lore ,as the Storm and Rage have continuously battled for the Western Conference crown, Duda was poised to have an emotionally charged effect on the balance of power.

Such a visceral decision was one that saw Duda employ great maturity in the process, making a courageous decision and accepting the risk. Taking into account that her inaugural season with the Storm would culminate with team Rookie of the Year honors, such a decision was one that yielded very positive results.

“The high school that I went to had a female’s football team so I knew when I moved to Red Deer I wanted to get involved in the sport again. It was kind of a toss up between playing for Calgary’s team or Edmonton because they were both about the same distance away. But I went to one practice with The Storm and instantly knew that this was the team I wanted to be on and the people I wanted to play with.”

Like any first-year player at such a high level of play, Duda’s first game in the WWCFL level brought with it the obligatory feelings of nervousness and anticipation.

Reflecting on the first time that she graced the gridiron in league play, donning the Storm’s colors of black, blue and white, the one key element may involve the fact that she cannot contain her love of the game, running parallel to the limitless opportunities for growth in the league,

“The first game I was nervous, terrified and excited. I still get nervous and excited every game but that fear has gone away after I realized that every player on the team has my back and are willing to pick up my slack if I’m having an off game.”

Such a sensational season culminated with Duda gaining the opportunity to contribute towards a second consecutive Western Conference championship. Culminating with the milestone of competing in the WWCFL’s premier showcase, the fifth annual championship game, Duda remains humble about a breakthrough campaign. Despite the Storm’s season ending without an elusive championship, it proved to be a valuable learning experience for Duda, whose presence shall only continue to establish her as a building block for future ambitions.

While the season as a whole is one that has seen Duda a keen student of the game, ready to absorb all the experiences and eagerly display a willingness to learn, her greatest quality may be a sense of humor. In reflecting on her first season with the Storm, such humor helps to define one of her first milestones with the Storm, of which there are likely many more to come in the future,

“As cliche as it sounds, I do not have a moment that stands out as my favourite. I have a bunch of amazing memories, whether it is on field memories or just moments of hanging with my teammates and coaches. Yet, I think getting my first touchdown without a shoe on is a memory that will always make me laugh.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Photo credit: Candice Ward Photography

 

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