Teen takes gridiron league by Storm
As a recruitment co-ordinator, Eric Theroux played a role in helping the Edmonton Huskies turn their program into one of the best junior football teams in the country.
He’s now helping the Alberta Golden Bears in that same role.
But sometimes when you’re trying hard to recruit elite talent, you come across a hidden gem.
On one Huskies recruiting trip last season, he found a gem in Baylie Kennedy for the team he coaches, the Edmonton Storm.
The Storm play in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League — an eight-team league that features teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The 17-year-old Kennedy is about to embark on her second season with the Storm and is a key member of the team’s secondary, but the impact she’s made on her team goes far beyond the line of scrimmage.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had young players join our team, but she is the youngest player to ever make this kind of impact,” said Theroux. “We have a lot of veteran players who have been part of this team for many years, but we decided that she deserves to be on our captain’s council this season. She’s earned the right to be one of our designated leaders.”
The Storm open their 13th season Saturday on the road in Grande Prairie against the Northern Anarchy.
Kennedy may be just 17, but she has been playing football since 13, when she suited up for the Sylvan Lake Lions bantams. She’s no stranger to the gridiron.
Kennedy also shows an incredible commitment, travelling four hours, three to four times a week, to train, practice and play for the Storm.
Kennedy has played against boys her whole life and found a way to be a key contributor with the Storm.
Standing 5-3 with a slight frame, Kennedy uses her speed to make tackles and, despite her small stature, hits hard.
Kennedy also suffers from dyslexia, but she’s bound and determined to not let it affect her life.
“I do everything I can to not let it hold me back with football and in my life. If I want to learn something, I figure out a way for it to stick in my brain,” said Kennedy.
Having dyslexia can pose its challenges. Imagine trying to decipher a football playbook. Kennedy wears a quarterback wrist band while on the field that has lists of plays on it. She highlights different plays with different colours and she finds ways to break them down in her own way.
What makes it even more remarkable is she plays three positions and has to learn the roles of a cornerback, defensive back and safety.
Kennedy uses her football experience to help her teammates.
“I’ve met people this year that have had no football experience and I take it onto myself to guide them. I want to help make them better. That’s what a leader should do is guide the players to be better,” said Kennedy.
“I want my players to trust me in the decisions I make for the team. I want to make sure everyone feels welcome and everyone is doing their part so we can be successful.”