They may be sisters, but this isn't just some kind of family reunion. These three ladies are in it to win.
Jasmine, Jamie and Jessie Flett grew up in Winnipeg but they have all headed west to become integral parts of Olds College's women's soccer team.
Their journey to Olds started with 20-year-old Jasmine, who was looking for a change of scenery for the 2015 season after playing a year with the University of Manitoba Bisons, according to head coach Macky Singh.
She was named Marmot Basin/Hostelling International Jasper Athlete of the Week for Sept. 19-25 after her solid defence helped the Broncos gain a win and a tie this past weekend – including a 3-0 win over Lethbridge College.
It was Mark Oxer, the college's former strength coach who moved back to Winnipeg, who pitched the Olds program to her. Oxer was mentored by one of Jasmine's coaches back home, who was friends with her father.
However, her Broncos career was delayed, as she did not meet the academic requirements to be eligible to play, Singh said. So while studying in the college's sports management program, she spent the year as a redshirt, which allows an athlete to retain a year of athletic eligibility, but not compete.
"It was really frustrating not being able to play and help out the team because we're not a big team and without me on the field, it moved around some players ... to cover my position that I was supposed to be playing," Jasmine said.
During that time, Singh said she practised with both the women's and men's teams to make sure she was always challenged. He said her CIS experience raised the intensity level among teammates.
"It is hugely valuable because her technical ability and knowledge of the game was massive," he said. "Players look up to her. She's very passionate about the game and really passionate about being successful as an athlete and helping the Broncos be successful as well."
Now a co-captain of the team, Jasmine is a comfortable spokesperson. She explains that both her 18-year-old sisters, who are fraternal twins, wanted to play college soccer and become vets. She suggested that they move to Olds, where the veterinary technical assistant program would allow them to find work after four months of study. They would also be able to live and play together.
"She knows a lot of the places and people so it helps a lot with the adjustment," Jamie said.
"And it's never lonely because the three of us are here," Jasmine adds.
On the field, Jamie was recruited as a goalkeeper but plays striker and will likely continue to do so, barring injuries. She has quickly made an impact, scoring a goal in her first match, followed by a hat trick in her second. She was named ACAC Athlete of the Week for Sept. 6-11.
As centrebacks, Jasmine and Jessie play more subtle roles to the casual observer. Singh's Broncos play with four defenders and the sisters take the middle two positions. Their job is to cover opposing strikers, chase down balls and communicate to teammates where they should be, whether that's pushing up field or dropping back.
In sports, success begets success and the Fletts are aware of Broncos soccer history, that it hasn't experienced much of it. But they're encouraged by the team's first win in September and are eager to help build a winning foundation for the future.
"It definitely feels good to win. We definitely do not like losing. It frustrates us a lot. Coming in and helping out with a win really bumps up everyone's confidence, not just our own but everyone ... I think it definitely helped Macky so he doesn't feel like he's letting us down by not being able to coach us to a win," Jasmine said.
"And maybe the community will be more interested in coming to our games instead of thinking, we're just coming to watch them lose again. I think that definitely helps with everything."
