MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – What motivates Grace Mwasalla?
Along with her own personal drive to be the best athlete she can be, she draws extra motivation – vindication, even – from those that have doubted her, whether that be in the recruiting process or in getting snubbed from the 2021 U SPORTS all-rookie team.
The electric MacEwan women's soccer striker proved a lot of doubters wrong in 2022 when she set a new program record with 15 goals and 17 points in 14 games, making the U SPORTS and Canada West first all-star teams.
This came a year after she played a huge role as a rookie in securing MacEwan's first-ever U SPORTS national championship.
Of Tanzanian heritage, but born in Ontario, Mwasalla, who now calls Calgary her hometown, willingly accepts her status as a role model for her community.
W⚽️| Q&A
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) February 24, 2023
In honour of #BlackHistoryMonth, we sit down with @USPORTS_Soccer first team all-star - @GriffinsSoccer record-breaker Grace Mwasalla - on what motivates her and her experience being a role model for youth.#GriffNation
STORY➡️https://t.co/vYs6APzPG0 pic.twitter.com/y7wgTJlCAT
As part of Black History Month, Mwasalla sat down for a Q&A:
When did you first start playing soccer?
"I was either four or five – it was TimBits soccer. I just fell in love with it from Day 1."
This was in Calgary?
"No, Ontario. I was born in Timmons, but grew up in Chatham. I moved to Calgary when I was 11."
What clubs did you grow up with playing in?
"I started with basketball, but then I decided to pursue soccer full time and it's been like that ever since."
What was it about soccer that made you want to focus on that?
"I think I'm more passionate about soccer compared to basketball. It's been soccer from Day 1. It was an easy decision."
Grace Mwasalla enjoys a moment with teammates before a 2022 game at Clarke Stadium (Joel Kingston photo).
As you continued to play, when did you realize this was something you wanted to pursue at the post-secondary level?
"It was definitely when I joined Calgary Blizzard and played a year up on the '01 team. My coach, who actually coaches with the Dinos right now (Diogo Raposo), instilled in me that I have the skill and opportunity to pursue it long-term. Then I just got recruited."
What was it about MacEwan that attracted you to the program?
"Dean (Cordeiro) is very much like my old club coach – they used to coach here together. And also just being from Calgary and coming to Edmonton, I'm away from home but still close enough that I could go home. That was a big part of it, as well."
Griffins soccer is a very inclusive program. Did that resonate with you as well?
"Yeah, I would definitely say that. Just last year being the only person of colour on the team and having two more now (Marina and Selynna Simao) – I call them my younger sisters. It's nice having them on the team, as well. Everyone is welcoming and it's a very diverse group. It was just easy to fit in with everyone."
Grace Mwasalla tied a program record on Oct. 2, 2022 when she scored four goals against Winnipeg (David Larkins photo).
Has there been anyone you've looked up to as a role model either in your personal life or as an athlete?
"As an athlete, Kobe Bryant, for sure, is someone I've looked up to. Just his work ethic. Personally, I'd say my family, for sure. They've always been people I could rely on, and they've always wanted the best for me in supporting me."
What was your mentality or something you did that you really feel helped you excel?
"I think just believing in myself has been the biggest part, especially during my recruiting process. There are not a lot of coaches who did believe in me. Just that willingness to bet on myself is what really pushed me."
What has been the most memorable moment of your Canada West career so far?
"Definitely winning nationals last year. That was a big one. That one will always stick with me, for sure."
What do you remember most about that moment?
"I think making my PK. I was honestly very proud of myself for doing that because it wasn't necessarily something I was very good at in youth. To be on a big stage like that and to bury that shot was big time for me."
Grace Mwasalla and teammates celebrate the 2021 U SPORTS national championship in Cape Breton (Jefferson Hagen photo).
Were there any racial barriers along the way?
"I think I'm one of very few lucky enough that I haven't experienced any direct racial barriers that I've faced, so I'm definitely grateful for that experience. But I also know people who have. It's always just about educating other people about these situations and how we can move forward as a collective better."
What are some things you'd like to see in sport that would help build a more inclusive culture?
"I think people unlearning their unconscious biases is big time. Sometimes those create unfair advantages that negatively impact not just black athletes, but people of colour as well."
What do you hope to communicate to young athletes hoping to follow in your footsteps?
"This doesn't only go for young black athletes, but young athletes, in general, like I said earlier, just to continue to bet on yourself and believe in yourself. I think that's the biggest thing because there will be coaches and other people in your life that may not believe in you, but if you continue to have that belief in yourself, the sky's the limit."
Do you have moments that motivate and drive you to be the player that you are?
"I played a year up with Calgary Blizzard, so when all the '01s were getting scouted, it wasn't necessarily my year to get scouted. A bunch of coaches were overlooking me and didn't really believe in me at the time. Dean was the only coach – I was 16 at the time – who gave me a shot. There were two other schools interested in me who I wanted to go play for, but I didn't really get the chance to sign with them. Playing them in my rookie year, I kind of had that chip on my shoulder because I did want to prove them wrong and that they should have believed in me at the time. I definitely think I did that, but it's not only about trying to prove them wrong. It's not necessarily about proving them wrong, it's just showing them who you are as a person and an athlete."
Grace Mwasalla, left, and Griffins teammates Anneke Odinga and Kiann Bohnert celebrate with their U SPORTS all-star team honours at the banquet in Quebec City last November (Mathieu Belanger photo).
What did it mean to win the U SPORTS first team all-star award?
"Winning that was everything at the time just what happened in my rookie year – not making the U SPORTS all-rookie team. So, to come back the next year and make U SPORTS first team, I really think the work I put in in the summer helped me. Being snubbed from that team gave me the motivation to come back and prove everyone wrong who doubted me."
Does it make it extra special to win the award as a black athlete?
"For sure. Definitely. Not really seeing many people who look like me I don't necessarily feel a responsibility, but I want to make my community proud. Seeing black athletes shine at the top, I can't imagine how a kid is feeling. Even if an athlete's in Grade 12 and they look like me and are looking at me, I just think that could be inspirational for them. I guess in that way, I hope I'm a role model for that person."
Going back to what we talked about with role models, how do you see yourself as even more of a role model to youth?
"I feel like for me, I lead by my actions. That kind of showed on the pitch and I was recognized for that. I'm always preaching just work hard and stay humble. I think it showed."
