That fresh face in the defensive backfield is just a little too fresh.
Even for a 13-year-old.
So when it’s revealed the face belongs to Cochrane Bantam Lions cornerback Laura Pace, the focus becomes clear. She’s slugging it out with the boys in Calgary Bantam Football Association play.
“I like it,” says the Manachaban School Grade 8 student, who has four older football-playing brothers. “This is my first year.”
According to bantam Lions head coach Paul McLean, Pace is holding her own on the defence at the challenging cornerback position.
“Laura’s great. She’s been really improving as we move forward,” McLean says following his team’s best showing of the season in a 43-14 loss Sept. 6 to the Calgary Cyclones at Shouldice Park. “One of the most important things is she’s dedicated. She’s making every practice and getting better every day.”
Player development is the keystone of the Lions football program. Matching a player’s strengths to the ideal position is the coach’s main goal. When McLean and his coaching staff assessed Pace’s skills at training camp, they knew she fit at cornerback.
“Laura’s one of the faster players on the team,” McLean assesses. “She’s got a skillset that is perfect for the corner position. We’ll keep on working with her. She’s going to get an interception some time soon.”
From playing pickup football at the park with her brothers, Pace is now wearing full football armour, covering and tackling the opposing team’s fastest receivers.
“It’s fun. You’re sort of by yourself. But it’s not that hard. I enjoy it,” she relates. “You have to work really hard. In the end it’s all worth it.”
And she says she’s not taking any extra heat from the opposition for being the opposite gender.
“No. Not really. It’s just football.”
Pace and the Lions are back at it Sept. 13 against Calgary Hilltoppers, 3 p.m. kickoff, at Calgary’s Shouldice Park, Hellard Field.
