WWCFL: Moore becomes second WWCFL player selected in 2013 CWHL Draft
In the aftermath of the 2013 Canadian Women’s Hockey League Draft, a pair of remarkable competitors from the WWCFL was selected. Julie Paetsch of the champion Saskatoon Valkyries was acquired in the tenth round, while Okotoks Lady Outlawz player Georgia Moore would go in the thirteenth round. Ironically, both were selected by the Alberta Hockey Club.
As a member of the Australian national women’s hockey team, the 26 year-old Moore has also established herself on the rink. Having relocated to Canada to sharpen her skills and improve her game, Calgary has become her second home.
While Moore has been temporarily sidelined with a back ailment, delaying her entry into Alberta’s training camp, she is one of the most remarkable characters in women’s sports. Although Paetsch holds the distinction of being the first WWCFL player ever drafted by the CWHL, Moore can also boast a unique mark on women’s hockey history. She is the first Australian-born player to have been selected in the CWHL Draft.
Prior to the CWHL Draft, Moore was a member of the Strathmore Rockies women’s hockey team. Competing in the Western Women’s Hockey League, she had the opportunity to call team founder Samantha Holmes her teammate. Hoping to land a regular spot with Alberta this season, the experience with football should make her a better athlete with a stronger presence for the frozen perimeter of the CWHL.
Known affectionately to her Lady Outlawz teammates as the Aussie Clipper, the recent WWCFL season marked her rookie campaign in the league. With an interest in a wide range of sports, the opportunity to try women’s tackle football was one she embarked upon with great enthusiasm.
“It never really crossed my mind as a sport I would ever play. To be truthful, I did not know there was a women’s contact football league.
A friend of mine knew one of the girls on the team and told me they needed some players and asked whether I would be interested. Never turning down a new sport to try I headed down to practice and loved the speed and intensity of the sport right away.”
Although the Lady Outlawz inaugural season brought with it expansion woes, it stood out as a cherished moment in Moore’s athletic career. While it was a new experience for her, the analytical aspects of hockey translated well into football. Competing at the slotback position, her speed was her greatest asset.
“It was truly an incredible experience. Having never played the sport before and not knowing too much about the general play of the game, the girls and the coaches were very supportive and helpful bringing me up to speed.
I took skills I had from playing Australian Rules football, rugby and hockey and applied them to the game. I love to read the game in hockey and really enjoyed the all various plays of football…that and being able to go at someone and hit them as hard as you can. Who doesn’t enjoy that?”
Although the franchise shall look for its first victory in 2014, it shall return with a new name; the Foothills Outlawz. While Moore’s goal is to recover and help Alberta to its first postseason berth in the CWHL, her experience with the Outlawz helped define the spirit of teamwork and friendship. In acknowledging Outlawz head coach Rick Crawford, she has shown the grace that makes her the type of athlete one would be proud to call their teammate.
“I really have to thank head coach Rick Crawford for his commitment to the team and sharing his wealth of knowledge of the game.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
