Gridiron dreams coming true for teen player

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This article was published 21/09/2022 (1418 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINDSOR PARK

While the sky might just be the limit for Matthew Gillespie, his feet remain firmly rooted to the turf.

In August, the 15-year-old Charleswood resident returned from Charlottetown, P.E.I., where he was part of Manitoba’s U18 flag football team that won the national championship.

Prior to that, in July, the teen was in Kelowna, B.C., playing for Manitoba’s U18 tackle football team, which finished sixth in the Canada Cup — Football Canada’s national tackle football championship, when he led the team in tackles.

Gillespie’s high school football career also makes impressive reading. The six-foot, 185-pound linebacker is currently working hard in preparation for the Oak Park Raiders high school varsity football team’s upcoming season. Last year, he was captain of the junior varsity team that made it to the Winnipeg High School Football League’s championship game last November, when the Raiders lost 55-24 to the Dakota Lancers.

“I really enjoyed taking on a leadership role,” said Gillespie, reflecting on last season’s WHSFL achievements.

“It was a great feeling leading the team, and a great feeling making it to the championship game. I’m proud of how hard we worked as a team, and as the season went on we bonded more and more.”

The honour roll student, who has just started Grade 11, said he’s thrilled about bringing home a gold medal from Charlottetown with the provincial team, not least because it represents all the team’s hard work paying off.

As for some of his favourite things about football, the North Winnipeg Nomads product said he loves the camaraderie with his teammates, as well as the physical aspects of the sport.

Noting he definitely hopes to continue playing football at the university level, Gillespie is grateful for the support of his family, including his Windsor Park-based grandparents, friends and coaches.

“My family has been a good influence on me, and they come and support me and cheer me on pretty much every game.”

Because of his age, Gillespie generally played against players a year older than him during the two summer tournaments, which is a reflection of his growing maturity and influence on the teams he plays for, said Oak Park’s High School’s head football coach Chris Ollson.

“Matthew jumps off the page,” Ollson said. “He’s one of those players with those natural instincts and abilities. He knows when to be in the right place at the right time.”

“He’s easily one of the best linebackers coming through our program. He’s very softly spoken and very polite, but once he puts that helmet on he can hit really hard.”

“He trains non-stop and his work ethic is very impressive. He lets his play do the talking,” he added.

Ollson said Gillespie led the Raiders’ defence last season, and he’s looking to forward to seeing the youngster’s continued development this season.

“He was the glue that kept in together. He’s always reliable, and I don’t have to worry about him. As a coach, you wish you had 30 like him. This year, we have a very young team, and Matthew will be a big part of it. The future looks bright. The sky’s the limit for him.”