Ashley Viklund and Team Canada in a game against Team Australia. (Submitted Photo/Jari Turunen)

By Derek Craddock

GROWING SPORT

P.A. athlete recalls experience at World American Football championships

Aug 10, 2022 | 3:00 PM

They may not have medaled but Team Canada and one Saskatchewan athlete are still holding their heads high following the Women’s International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships.

Ashley Viklund, who coaches with the PA River Riders, was a member of Team Canada for the tournament hosted this year in Finland. Canada hoped to improve on it’s silver medal performance at the last championships in 2017.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be as they lost to Great Britain in the semi-finals and fell to Finland in the bronze medal game 19-17. It was the first time Canada has not medaled in the event but was also the first time Canada and the U.S. hadn’t met in the gold medal game.

Speaking from Sweden, Viklund said while it is a disappointing result for her and the team, she believes it’s the best team Canada has put on the field.

“I think it speaks to how far tackle football for women is coming in the world that these teams are getting so much stronger and so much better. It’s fantastic to see the sport growing.”

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“Even getting up to that gold medal game, we would play Australia and Great Britain, we wouldn’t get to play these teams from countries that aren’t English first countries.”

The tournament was delayed because of pandemic restrictions so being able to participate was a dream come true and to be able to play in a country like Finland was memorable.

“We got to see more of the country and got to speak to more people,” said Viklund.

While there were many highlights for her during the tournament, a couple stood out for her, including a big tackle in their semi-final against Britain and a fumble recovery in the bronze medal game.

Most of the team has returned to Canada while Viklund and others stay in Scandinavia for some travelling. Once she gets back to Prince Albert, it’ll be right back to football.

“A lot of us are switching into coaching gear. I get home next week and the River Riders season starts. It’s just back to more football.”

The IFAF has not confirmed where the next tournament will be held through rumours are swirling it could take place in two years’ time, instead of the traditional four years.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock