Photograph by: Colin Chatfield photo
At an age when most people are slowing down, or retiring from contact sports, 39-year-old Melanie Harris is just getting going. The married mother of two was talked into trying out for the Saskatoon Valkyries wo men' s tackle football team three years ago by her young niece. Now Harris is still playing, and her 24-year-old niece has retired.
Melanie Harris "It's just important to let people know that age is not a barrier," said Harris who starts at defensive end. "If you have support from family and friends, you can make it work."
Harris has a chance to help the Valkyries win their fourth straight Western Women's Canadian Football League championship today, as Saskatoon hosts the Lethbridge Steel in the title game at Griffiths Stadium at 7 p.m.
It is a three times a week commute from Outlook for Harris, who is encouraged to play by her husband Brad and two children. Brad, a former hockey referee who never played football himself, serves on the Valkyries' board of directors.
"I think it's been so great for my daughter, who is 10, just to show her that you can do this, said Harris. "She feels sorry for me with all my bruises at the end of a game, and at the end of a week, but she always says she's proud of me.
"My son (age seven) will tell his friends at school, 'My mom plays football,' and they have a hard time believing it. He shows them my helmet, and then they (believe)."
It took a year of watching her niece Kelsi Christiansen play before Harris decided to give it a try. Christiansen played receiver for the Valkyries from 2011 until 2013 before her U of S schedule prevented her this year. "It just gave me the bug, watching them play, seeing all ages, shapes and sizes. So second season I gave it a whirl," said Harris, who played together with Christiansen for two years. "Not many aunts can play with their niece. So that was quite fun."
Her first two years, Harris made the two-hour roundtrip commute alone, never missing a practice or game. This year she convinced a former babysitter from Outlook, Nicole Richards, to play. They talk non-stop about football the entire way to and from practices and games. Richards became a starter at free safety before an ACL injury sidelined her from the final game.
"She is a huge inspiration and a role model," said Richards about Harris. "She works full time and has to balance the kids and all their sporting events and to keep her home life running smooth and then to give it all out on the field is a huge accomplishment."
Harris, who will turn 40 in April, has no plans to slow down from football life.
"As long as my body will let me I'm going to keep playing," said Harris. "I want to give it another year. And if my family are OK with it, I'm going to go for it."
drice@thestarphoenix.com
WWCFL Championship
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: Griffiths Stadium
Who: Saskatoon Valkyries vs. Lethbridge Storm The Valkyries face the Steel for the third straight year in the league final. The Valkyries won 64-21 in 2012 and 27-13 last year.
Who to watch
LETHBRIDGE STEEL Rookie quarterback Michaelea Dilworth-Baum (25) leads the Steel charge this year while last year's starting quarterback and past team MVP Becky Heninger (7) has proved so valuable she now plays all over the field. Saskatoon's Carly Dyck (4) is a leading receiver and kicker.
SASKAT OON VALKYRIES The Valkyries are led by fourth-year starting quarterback Candace Bloomquist (4) and the dangerous backfield of Julie David (34) and Samantha Matheson (22). Marci Kiselyk (19) leads at receiver.
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