Jill Fast Presents the Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack with a Promising Future

A wide receiver that lives up to her name, Jill Fast employs great speed in her role with the Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack. One of the young stars on the Nomads Wolf Pack, her presence on offense always gives the team an opportunity to win. Complemented by the defensive presence of fellow young star Alexa Matwyczuk, this remarkable pair ensures the franchise has a promising future.

In working towards transforming the Nomads Wolf Pack into one of the elite teams in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League, Fast is a multi-talented athlete that brings a great love of sport to the gridiron.

“I've always been competitive and liked sports.  I especially like football because it's contact. I like the challenge of having to be taken down to be stopped, or having to tackle someone to stop them. Football requires strength, endurance, speed and toughness; all things I like in a sport.”

Along with teammate (and 2010 national team member) Charlene Mash-Hadlow, Fast was named to the reserve roster for the 2013 Canadian National Team. For a young player like Fast, being named to the squad looking to claim gold at the Women’s Tackle Football Championships represents a great point of pride.

“I am very honoured to have been selected. I am also very happy to have been part of the experience of playing in the National Tournament and participating in the National tryout.”   

Of note, three other Winnipeg members were also named to the Canadian contingent; offensive linewoman Christine O’Donnell, defensive back Amy Mohr and Matwyczuk. Players like Mash-Hadlow and Mohr (who helped Canada to the silver medal at the 2010 World Championships) have served as players that Fast looks up to.

“They are both great athletes and team players. I've always looked up to them. I felt they took me under their wing when I first started playing football. They've been very inspirational to me.”

That inspiration has resulted in Fast paying it forward with rookies on the Nomads Wolf Pack. As Fast had the opportunity to play with Mash-Hadlow and Mohr for Manitoba’s provincial team at the 2012 National Cup in Laval, Quebec, she understands her role as a leader.  

“I always try to help out new players, because I remember what it was like for me when I first started playing. I really didn't know much about the positions or rules of the game and I really appreciated when people would help me.”

With a .500 start in the first two games of the 2013 WWCFL season, Fast is working hard towards propelling her club into the postseason. Always remaining positive, Fast offers an assessment of Winnipeg’s 2013 season,

“So far we are doing alright. We lost to Saskatoon in our first game and beat Fearless in our second. From here on though it will depend on how we finish. Our next game against Regina is going to be tough. On a positive note we do continue to improve every game. The plan is to try our best and play our hardest.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”