April 29, 2022

Elks Proud to be Part of Women in Football Program

The Edmonton Elks are proud to welcome Elisha Torraville to the team as part of the Canadian Football League’s Women in Football Program presented by KPMG LLP.

Through this new initiative, a female participant is joining the football operations or business administration department of each of the CFL’s nine teams for a four-week development opportunity coinciding with the start of training camp on May 15.

A graduate of Kinesiology and Sports Management at Red Deer Polytechnic, Elisha serves as Director for Calgary Bantam Football Association, and is assistant offensive line coach for Football Alberta’s U18 provincial girls team. She has played tackle and flag football, and founded Female Football for Life with a goal of increasing female participation in football and is developing a U18 female football league in Calgary.

Elisha talked to GoElks.com about joining the Elks as part of the first cohort of the Women in Football Program.

What made you decide to apply for the Women in Football program?

Over the past few years, football has become an integral part of my life so when this program was announced I was beyond excited. This program is such a great opportunity for women to get involved in the game at the highest possible level.

One of the things that my husband and I try to teach our kids is to do ‘hard things’ so when I saw this program, I knew that I wanted to give it a try, knowing full well that it’s going to be incredibly demanding. I fully expect that the next few weeks will be some of the hardest work I’ve ever done, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

What makes you passionate about football?

The camaraderie, the teamwork, knowing that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, and all of the personal growth and leadership opportunities that football can bring.

As a player, knowing that those women to your left and right are ready and willing to go to battle with you every single play. As a fan, feeling the energy in the crowd during those Labour Day Classics or Grey Cups. As a coach and manager, helping young players to become the best versions of themselves that they can be, not just as football players, but as people.

What excites you most about your role with the Elks?

I think most of all I’m excited to be a part of such a legendary Canadian organization. I’m incredibly excited to see how the team will thrive under Victor Cui’s leadership.

I’m excited to be working in an organization and with a staff that’s clearly going to have high expectations. With Chris Jones back in Edmonton, and bringing with him one of the greatest players ever to play the game in Geroy Simon, how can you not have those expectations?  The leadership of the organization clearly knows how to win. The most exciting thing for me is going to be working non-stop to the best of my ability to try and meet those expectations.

What do you hope to achieve through the program?

My hope is simply to try and do the best I can to make the organization better. If I can walk away after my time here is done and say that I’ve had one small impact on helping the team, that’s what I would love to achieve.

How do you feel a program like this can make an impact?

One of my main goals in life is to increase female involvement in the game of football, whether that’s through playing, coaching, managing, officiating, or just becoming a fan. The game has had such a positive impact on my life that I am passionate about trying to show other women the opportunities that football can bring them. My hope is that this program will highlight to all the young girls and women out there that they can be involved with the game at whatever level they choose.