Delaney Madison is a force to be reckoned with on the field.
The 11-year-old is still learning the ropes of soccer, but proved herself during the one-month elementary school soccer season.
Eager to lace up for her school team only to hear not enough girls were interested, Madison was invited to play on the boys team.
“The school offered for me to play. I just thought they would let me practise with them, I didn’t think I would get to play games,” said the Grade 5 student at Willway elementary.
On the field Madison is quick and fierce often outrunning her opponents to the ball. She hasn’t noticed much of a difference being the only girl but admits, “Sometimes I can’t get as many goals as if I was playing against girls.”
Other than a braid whipping in the air as she runs, nothing sets her apart from her teammates.
“She is competitive and doesn’t shy away from the ball,” said coach and Willway vice-principal Greg Dodds. “She is fast and furious.”
At the Sooke School District boy’s soccer jamboree, May 23, Delaney’s skills caught the attention of teachers and parents throughout the district who commented on how well she played and held her own against the 200 other players.
“I am proud of her, she is pretty good and I think it’s neat she’s playing on this team,” said her mom Maria Madison.
Madison also played on the volleyball and basketball teams at her Langford school this year.