Winning motivation

WWCFL:  Seasoned veteran Lavers provides Calgary Rage with desire to win.

Contributing tirelessly to the Calgary Rage’s hopes for an elusive championship, Ferne Lavers is one of the squad’s most experienced players. Playing on defense at the linebacker position, she joined the squad in 2009. During the 2013 campaign, she was part of the franchises first-ever .500 season in Western Women’s Canadian Football League franchise history.

Like many of the women she competes against in the WWCFL, Lavers has a rugby background. While the responsibilities of career and life forced a temporary sabbatical from competitive sport a few years ago, her interest was renewed in an unlikely place.

“I played Rugby throughout high school and then stopped playing when I went to university. For a while I wanted to get back into sports, but I did not know where to start.

In 2006, I noticed a co-worker, Rebecca Medel, hauling an equipment bag to and from work. I asked her about it and when I found out she was playing women’s contact football my interest was sparked.

She explained that the team was almost done the season so it was too late for me to join, however, everyone is welcome, regardless of experience and she encouraged me to join the team the next season.”

Having grown up in Canada’s Atlantic region, the league in question that Lavers joined was the Maritime Women’s Football League. She would suit up with the Halifax Xplosion, one of the newer teams in the league. Her return to competitive sport would set her on the path towards a football career that has seen her play throughout Canada.

“In April 2007, I went to my first practice with the Halifax Xplosion (based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia and a member of the Maritime Women’s Football League). Every inch of my body hurt for days after because my muscles were so sore from lack of previous activity.

However, I loved it and could not wait for the next practice. I remember strapping on shoulder pads for the first time and being surprised at how comfortable they were and also at the feeling of invincibility that came along with them.”

The joy of being able to resurrect her athletic career was complemented by the rush of excitement she got from competing on the gridiron. After two seasons under her belt with the Xplosion, football became an integral aspect of her life.

“It was a great feeling to get knocked to the ground, get up, and not feel a thing! I played two seasons with the Xplosion before moving to Calgary and had such a great experience with the team.

Prior to making the decision to move to Calgary, I made sure there was a women’s football team because I knew that football was something I could not give up.”

The relocation across Canada from Halifax to Calgary represented a great change in her personal and professional life. While change would also become a theme in her athletic life in Calgary, it would prove to be a positive change.

“I joined the Calgary Rage in the 2009 season when the team was just making the change from the Calgary Rockies to the Calgary Rage. It is amazing to look back over past seasons and see how the Calgary Rage has grown over the years.”

During her early years of football in Calgary, the name change from Rockies to Rage was not the only transition the franchise would undergo. As part of a three-team league known as the AFFL (Alberta Female Football League), Lavers competed against squads from Edmonton and Lethbridge.

By 2011, Lavers and her teammates would become female pioneers of Western Canadian football. The budding AFFL made the ambitious step towards unprecedented growth. With teams from the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba joining the fold, the Western Women’s Canadian Football League was born.

While the birth of the new league would add a new dimension to the quality of the game, it also provided a source of irony for Lavers.

“I actually ended up playing against Rebecca Medel in the WWCFL as she had also made the move to Western Canada. We were first lined up against each other when she played for the Edmonton Storm. Again, we lined up when she played for the Lethbridge Steel. It was hard to keep from smiling when I was blocking my former teammate.”

In addition to football, Lavers has also competed in long distance running. Building up a remarkable physical endurance for the demands of football helped to make Lavers better prepared for competing in her first marathon.

“It was because of football training that I was able to complete a 10 kilometer marathon. It was the first marathon that teammate Amanda McKenna and I had ever participated in.

We signed up with a plan to start training to prepare for the marathon, but that never really happened as we were so busy with football, life and everything in between.  Our game plan going in was just to do our best and when we couldn’t run any more we would walk the rest of the way.

To our surprise we ended up completing the marathon, and we did not finish dead last! If it had not been for our football training, I definitely do not think we would have been as successful.”

One of the positive aspects of competing with the Rage includes the friendships that she has made. Teammates like Esther Hong remarked she has a great enthusiasm for the game, while Amanda McKenna acknowledges that Lavers helped start her career. When asked if the regard she is held in is a point of pride, she approached it with humility and a bit of humor.

“I never really even considered this something to be proud of. It was not a challenge that I had to face. It is just a side effect of how football has made me feel. I truly love playing the game and whether we win or lose, I am always thankful to have had the opportunity to play football.

As football has affected my life in so many positive ways, I am always happy to share my experiences with anyone who will listen. Amanda happened to be on the receiving end of my football talk for a while and I think I hounded her a little bit until she finally signed up.”

Having played five seasons with the Rage, Lavers does not see herself as a leader. Preferring to set the example through hard work, it is also serves as motivation for her to improve and help the team to succeed.

“I think that I see myself as more of a role model than a leader. I am not a leader by nature, and when I find myself in a leadership position I really have to work hard to live up to the expectations of the role.

As a veteran player I know that newer players look up to me and other veterans. I am very dedicated to the team. Knowing that I set an example for other players gives me an extra push to keep going, even when it feels like the gas tank is empty.”

Embodying the spirit of a true team player, Lavers is focused on ensuring that she remains a positive influence. While she has championship aspirations, the outlook towards her career is one defined by graceful simplicity yet great maturity.

“My main goal is just to continue on playing for as many years as I can. I want to continue to grow as a player and continue to help the team grow. I would love to see the Calgary Rage win a championship and I think it is only a matter of time before we do.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Image by Candice Ward Photography