Steel legacy honoured

Former WWCFL pivot Stefanyk earns Football Alberta Novice Coach of Year.

As female football continues to earn more converts to its glorious gridirons, one area that is poised for growth is coaching. Kessie Stefanyk, a former quarterback with the Lethbridge Steel is one of the first women to have played and coached in the WWCFL. Bringing the determination she had as a player to the realm of coaching, her efforts have paid off with recognition as Football Alberta’s Novice Coach of the Year. The honor was enhanced by the fact that she was the first former player in WWCFL history to be recognized.

“It was truly an honor to receive the Novice Coach of the Year Award from Football Alberta. There is no way I would have gotten this far though without the help from the other amazing coaches that I get to share the sideline with.

Billy Baum, Justin Tillery (who nominated me), Mike Roberts, and Matt Sentes have been great to work with and I have learned so much from each of them. Our Head Coach Jamie Fisher has been an amazing man to learn from and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to coach alongside him.

It means a great deal to me to have received this award but it would not have been possible if it were not for my players. They work their tails off day in and day out, and it is because of their hard work that we have been so successful. Our league is growing so much every season and with the dedication from so many coaches across the country, I am sure that I won’t be the last coach from the WWCFL to receive an award.”

After facing an abrupt end to her playing career due to concussion woes, she has shown that there is life after playing, continuing to bring a contagious enthusiasm and courage to the game. The presence of Stefanyk on Jamie Fisher’s coaching staff in Lethbridge truly makes her a role model to the other players on the roster. Complemented by Kirstin Tanaka, another former Steel player who has made contributions in the front office, the club has seen empowered women factor in its successes, including two consecutive Western Conference titles. For Stefanyk, the opportunity to continue to be part of the Steel is truly a labour of love.

“There are so many things I enjoy about coaching! I really enjoy having new players join the team and just seeing how much they grow over the course of the season. Their ability to pick up new skills and concept so quickly blows my mind every season. I also love watching our veteran players act as such strong leaders on our team and offer their guidance to our rookies. There are a handful of women who have been with the team since the very beginning of the Lethbridge Steel and without their perseverance and heart, this team would not exist.

Yet, my favorite part of coaching has to be game day. When I am watching the girls put what we have been practicing into game play, it is so much fun to watch. I can see just how much they have learned and how much desire they have on the field; and when they start to click, it gets me so jacked! Win or lose, I could not be more proud of this team.”

Entering the 2014 WWCFL season, Stefanyk has proved to be a positive influence for her peers. The Calgary Rage has seen former players such as Connie Wells and Erin Walton grab the headset and clipboard. Emma Hicks, who played alongside Walton at the 2010 and 2013 IFAF Women’s Worlds is serving on the coaching staff for the Regina Riot this season, helping to continue to break new ground for women in coaching.

Serving as the assistant head coach and offensive co-ordinator, Stefanyk has been given the responsibility of not only calling the plays but serving as a mentor to the squad’s starting quarterback. While Michaela Dilworth-Baum follows in the footsteps of Becky Heninger (the starter in 2013) and Stefanyk herself, her poise at the position has been a great boon for the well-coached club.

“Michaela has been incredible for us this season. Her passion to learn and be the absolute best player she can be is inspiring to the players around her and especially me as a coach.

We have thrown a lot at her this season and she has taken it in stride and done extremely well in her rookie season as quarterback. Playing quarterback can be a very daunting experience, but she has stepped up in a big way for our team. I am so proud of how far she has come this season and I cannot wait to see what these last few weeks will bring us,” mentioned Stefanyk.

When she quarterbacked the Steel to the Western Conference title in 2012, Stefanyk displayed the character that has made her a rising star in the realm of coaching today. Considering that the Steel had one of the league’s smaller rosters in 2012, she was not afraid to face the challenge that it involved.

That approach has also influenced her methods towards coaching, testament as to why she was recognized by Football Alberta. Having carved a legacy as the first starting quarterback in Steel history, the opportunity to provide guidance and encouragement to those that follow her at the position is truly an extension of that legacy.

Photo credit:  Lethbridge Steel Website