Stella gets ready to rumble

It’s that time of year again—time to dust off the cleats, iron out the pleats in the green and gold, and step onto the field for another season of victory. As Canada’s defending National Champion, Stella is primed to take 2006 by storm. With a 21-player roster of seasoned veterans, elite juniors and up-and-coming new talents, this summer is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in Stella’s history.

“Dude, the team looks great,” says first-time Stella co-captain Rachel Robichaud, who craves another first place finish over Lotus at this year’s Canadian Ultimate Championships in salty Halifax. Along with returning co-captain Shannon Elliot and fellow first-timer Danielle “baby d” Fortin, Robichaud is fresh from the excitement of selecting this year’s outstanding roster. Among the players are three members of Canada’s Junior Women’s Team: roughriders Anne Mercier, Carrie Lugg and Alex Benedict, who together will head the stellar team as they compete for gold at the 2006 World Junior Ultimate Champions this summer in Boston. 

Returning players Amanda “Danger” Sage, Emily “Bighead” Chen, Jamie Collins, Marie Andrée “Magoo/LFG” Imbeault, Mary Ellen “Red Dog” Conway, Melissa Vance and Shannon Becker have been hard at work all winter, working out at their top-secret training camp in Elliot’s basement. Stella meets there on Saturday evenings to review the playbook, discuss strategy, and power through their speed and agility training program. These women are all business. At their high-impact workout sessions, there is no talk of movies such as The Transporter or The All-American Hollywood Hussy Contest—only quality films such as Hustle and Flow.

Co-captain Fortin is just as excited about the team’s new prospects as she is about the core of returning players. “These players are insane!” she says. “People are going to be blown away by the phenomenal group of cutters we’ve signed on. They came out at tryouts and just creamed everyone. Some of these women have been playing for years, and it shows.” Fortin is referring to Scarlett alumni tireless Kate Crump, speedster Liz Love, tenacious Nancy Symmons and wily Suleena Duhaime, as well as powerhouse Kate Cavallaro, towering Sandra Shaddick, and Tanara “Talons” Pickard who never misses a catch.

And then there’s Lindsay Nettlefold, one of Stella’s rookie handlers. “Every year there’s a player who comes out of the woodwork and surprises everyone,” says Elliot. “Last year it was Magoo. This year, Lindsay was the breakout player. On the eve of tryouts, we weren’t sure who she was. But by the end of the first day, everyone was talking about her.”

With a killer fusion of youth and experience, grit and skill, these talented sirens are sure to make headlines this summer. Without further ado, meet Stella 2006: