Sure-handed receiver in second season with
storied squad
By Darren
Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Jada Duchene (#3) jets downfield after making a catch. |
Jada is the eldest daughter of the WWCFL’s team’s general manager, Michelle, who has served in that role for the club since its inception in 2011. Jada and her younger sister, Halle, grew up with the Valkyries in their lives and had a unique understanding of the storied squad due to their mom’s role with the team.
Football
has a deep history in the Duchene family as Jada’s father, Eric, played in the
CJFL with the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun in the 1990s before suiting up
for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team for five seasons from
1999 to 2003. Playing football was never pushed on either Jada or Halle, and
Michelle and Eric supported them in any sports they chose to play or any
activities they wanted to participate in.
Jada, who
is 20-years-old and completed her second year of studies at the University of
Saskatchewan, is happy the current day is here where she is playing with the
Valkyries. As a rookie last year, she made some key contributions helping
the Valkyries win their 10th WWCFL title.
“I knew
that I always wanted to play one day,” said Jada. “I was a very high-level
volleyball player growing up and basketball, but pretty much volleyball by the
time I hit Grade 12.
“I decided
that I didn’t want to move away anywhere, so I thought that why not play
football. I played flag my whole life. I knew that I loved it, so I thought
I’ll give tackle a try.
“I never
got the chance to try it in high school, so I gave it a try last year, and now,
here I am.”
Jada was five-year-old when the Valkyries played their first season back in 2011. She has lots of memories of the Valkyries playing in their early years. Some of her favourite players included her aunt and defensive back Carisa Polischuk, quarterback Candace Bloomquist, running back Julie Paetsch, defensive back Darla Lee-Walde and receiver Marci (Kiselyk) Halseth.
Lee-Walde was once one of Jada’s coaches in flag football. Halseth is the Valkyries offensive coordinator in the current day.
Jada looks
back fondly at being around the Valkyries in their formative years when she was
little.
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| Jada Duchene, right, secures the ball after a catch in traffic. |
“I was so
excited to be there watching all the games. It started at Griffiths (Stadium).
It was pretty cool watching it all come together, and I remember when my mom
was trying to figure out a name and everything.
“It is
pretty cool to be able to say I’m on the team now.”
When Jada
was approaching her graduation from Holy Cross High School in June of 2024,
Michelle knew her eldest daughter had options to pursue sports playing
opportunities. Michelle admitted she was unsure what choice Jada would make.
“I didn’t
know,” said Michelle. “She definitely had opportunities to go play university
and college ball, whether it was volleyball or basketball.
“It was a
big decision for her to make, and then she decided to commit to football and
the flag and tackle. We were pretty excited. I was nervous though just like any
other parent.
“It feels a
little bit different when your kid is on the field. I was super excited for her
to really delve into the football world and see all the benefits of it, all the
people you meet, and the friends that you make and learning the sport at a new
level.”
After Jada
started playing for the Valkyries last season, it was an emotional and
meaningful moment for Michelle.
“It was
super exciting, and it was always kind of a dream of mine,” said Michelle.
“I’ve always said we do it for all the girls, but obviously, it was important
to me that my girls had an opportunity to do this, if that is what they wanted
to try to do.
“Hopefully
one day, Halle is going to be done her hockey career, and she’ll come back and
try playing as well. That is what she wants to do. It is definitely a goal for
her as well.”
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| Jada Duchene makes a catch at a Valkyries practice on January 26, 2025. |
Halle has
committed to play for the Mercyhurst University Lakers Women’s Hockey Team in
the NCAA Division I ranks in the fall in Erie, Pennsylvania. After her time in
the NCAA is completed, Halle would like to play in the PWHL.
With that
noted, Michelle has lots of warm memories of Jada and Halle being around the
Valkyries when they were kids.
“Like
honestly, I put both the girls to work,” said Michelle. “They loved coming to
practices and games too.
“I used to
set up the locker room. They would come, and they would help me set it up, put
the jerseys up and the pants out. I have this cute picture actually of Jada.
“She was
like, I don’t know, six years old, and she is carrying like six helmets walking
into the soccer centre. They loved to come and help and be a part of it, and
they looked up to all the girls.”
Last
season, a number of veteran receivers elected to move in different directions
in their lives and not return to the Valkyries. As a result, Jada found herself
in a starting role.
“It was
honestly crazy,” said Jada. “I never expected to be a starting player, but
there were only six of us (at receiver) when we started the season.
“I got
thrown in. I started as a slot and got moved around a little bit, but pretty
much stayed at slot. It was pretty cool to have the team trust me enough to get
put in right away.”
Jada also
just completed her season playing for the U of S flag team at Football Canada’s
Canadian Collegiate Flag Football Championship that ran May 1 to 3 in Regina.
As a result, Jada finds herself on the football field lots training for both
teams in April.
“It can be
pretty tough,” said Jada. “We have practice twice a week, lift once a week for
flag and then practice twice a week for Valks.
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| Jada Duchene (#3) makes a catch and run in the rain. |
When it
comes to playing for the Valkyries, Jada said it was special that the rest of
the players on the team accepted her right away.
“They’re so
awesome,” said Jada. “They were so inviting to me last year.
“I didn’t know
if it was just because they all knew my mom. Seeing how they treat everyone
else, it is just an amazing environment. I just love being around them.
“Coming to
see them every day, they’re some of my best friends.”
Jada has had a
strong start to her second season with the Valkyries. In their regular season
opener on April 26 against the host Riot at Leibel Field in Regina, Jada caught
a game high eight passes including a 13-yard touchdown reception to power the
Valkyries to a 15-7 victory.
The
Valkyries open their home schedule hosting the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless
on Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. They will once
again face the Riot on Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.
Still,
Jada’s biggest joy has been the fact she has been able to be a Valkyries player
while Michelle is still the team’s general manager. They got to share a forever
moment as player and general manager along with being daughter and mother on
June 28, 2025, when the Valkyries blanked the host Edmonton Arctic Pride 28-0
in the WWCFL title contest at Commonwealth Stadium.
“It is
pretty special,” said Jada. “I love being able to come to practice and games
and have my mom right there on the sideline.
“I always
hoped for this, and I’m glad it came sooner rather than later, so she could
still be here on the sideline with me. It is amazing.”
It has also
been a lifetime highlight for Michelle as well to still be the Valkyries
general manager and see Jada join the team as a player.
“It is super cool,” said Michelle. “We can go home and talk football.
“Even watching football, when you’re not immersed in it, you don’t watch it the same. Being able to watch and talk about the game with her as a family, it is super special. Sometimes, it can be challenging.
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| Michelle, left, and Jada Duchene after the 2025 WWCFL title win. |
For more information on the Saskatoon Valkyries, feel free to check their website saskatoonvalkyries.com. Photo of Michelle and Jada Duchene with the WWCFL championship trophy courtesy Jada Duchene.
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