Fraleigh returns from U18 nationals with a silver medal

Chatham’s Paisley Fraleigh shined for Team Ontario at the U18 Women’s Tackle National Championship held in Calgary last week.

Playing on defence for Team Ontario, Paisley earned a silver medal, as Alberta beat Ontario in the final 25-19 in overtime on Saturday.

In the final, Fraleigh had two solo tackles. She had four solo tackles in the opening win 21-10 win over Alberta. In the semi-finals against Saskatchewan on Wednesday, July 23, Fraleigh had three tackles, including a tackle for a loss. She also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble, as Ontario won 43-26..

Fraileigh plays quarterback and safety for the Chatham-Kent Cougars women’s U19 team. She is going into Grade 11 at Ursuline College Chatham.

Prior to the Cougars girls team being formed last year, Fraleigh played on Cougars boys teams at the house league and travel levels.

Cougars’ U19 manager Vicki Walters says that Fraleigh has a passion for football.

“She’s a great kid,” Walters said, noting her inclusiveness and kind attitude she shows to her coaches, teammates, opponents and officials.

Fraleigh began her football journey having to convince her parents she could suit up and play football with boys in the Cougar football organization. She had to write a persuasive letter to her parents Josh and Kelly to allow her to play football, as they weren’t completely on board with her playing the rough and tumble sport. She played a few games with the Ursuline Lancers junior boys football team as a safety last season.

Fraleigh is the first woman from Chatham-Kent to play tackle football at the provincial level.

Now entering its fourth year, the Women’s U18 National Tackle Championship has become a cornerstone of Football Canada’s high-performance calendar, uniting provinces, inspiring young women, and accelerating the sport’s growth nationwide.