Emma Sharp has spent most of the past month focusing on football, football and, for variety, football.
“It has honestly been an amazing experience,” she said. “I’ve had so much fun.
“Every day is different, but also the same, because it’s just football all day — something that has been the highlight of my month.”
Sharp was with the Roughriders throughout Coors Light Training Camp and the pre-season as part of the KPMG-sponsored Women in Football program.
While in green and white, Sharp learned from members of the coaching and football-operations staffs, led by Corey Mace (Head Coach) and Jeremy O’Day (General Manager).
Beginning last week, she was with the Roughriders during the day before practising with the Regina Riot at night.
Sharp plays on the defensive line with the Western Women’s Canadian Football League team, which is to play host to the provincial-rival Saskatoon Valkyries this Sunday (June 1st, 1 p.m., Leibel Field).
“The last month of my life — all day, every day — has all been football … Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,” Sharp said.
“It has just been cool and interesting to see the differences between the two teams — my own team and the Riders — and see how similar they are as well.
“I watch them do all the things that I want to be doing and then I get to go do it at night. It’s a great little switch-off in the evening.”
And a great experience for all concerned.
“Emma has been awesome and everyone has enjoyed her during her time here,” Mace said. “She came in just understanding what she didn’t know. She didn’t have coaching experience. She plays and she’s a bad-ass.
“She kind of floated (from position to position). I allowed her to float into different rooms and kind of see what it is that she liked to do.
“She has taken a liking, obviously, to defensive line, which she plays, and she likes the running backs as well — so she likes contact. She also stuck around with J.O. and the scouting department as well and saw it from that view.
“She has been outstanding. Anything we’ve asked her to do, she’s right on it. Truthfully, she’s like, ‘I want to get more in the mix.’
“I think she wants to practise.”
Is that true?
“Oh, I do … I really do,” responded Sharp, whose term with the Roughriders concluded on Friday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers provided the opposition in the pre-season finale.
“Not practising for a month and not playing made me miss it so much, because I love that physicality of it and I love the hitting, the aggression and all of that.
“Not being able to do it has made me crave it so much more. The last week, I was like, ‘Put me in. Let me do something. I’m ready!’ ”
She is also ready to expand her horizons in football.
“I know now for sure, 100 per cent, that I do want to coach football someday in my life — hopefully soon,” Sharp said, “and I want to continue on.”
TEAL GAME
The looming Riot-Valkyries game is being presented in partnership with Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Leading up to the Riot’s 10th annual Teal Game, 19 members of the team participated in a blood donor drive.
Canadian Blood Services has donated teal-coloured athletic tape, which will be worn by the Riot’s players during the game. Teal is the signature colour of ovarian cancer.
“This game means so much more than football,” Riot President Ashley Biskey said in a media release. “It’s about honouring those affected by ovarian cancer and giving back to the community that always shows up for us.”
As an added attraction, all amateur football players — tackle and flag — will be admitted free of charge if they wear their team’s jersey.
