During the week Shelby Valdepena works as a pre-kindergarden teacher in Lubbock, but when the weekend rolls around, she gets in her car and drives five hours to Dallas, where she is kicker, for the Texas Elite Spartans.
Valdepena said the team is made up of 56 women, who all compete in the Women’s National Football Conference.
“You can’t go to practice and not leave feeling like yeah I’m a woman, I’m strong, I’m tough, I’m awesome,” Valdepena said.
She said her team will play in Houston, Utah, Nebraska and hopefully Denver, where the championship will be held.
Valdepena said the players on her team come from all walks of life, but all share the same dream, of being able to play football on an all-female team.
“Those are some of the most amazing women I’ve ever met,” Valdepena said. “Who have full time jobs, we have a neurophysicist on the team, we have teachers and artists.”
Valdepena said living out her dream does not come without it’s hardships. She said she drives five hours every weekend because there is not a team for her in Lubbock, and often not even a place to practice.
“You don’t take no for an answer that’s all I can say, make it happen,” Valdepena said. “If it’s your dream, if it’s your passion, pursue it.”
Valdepena said the hard work she is doing now, will be worth it when little girls one day can grow up to become professional football players.
“I pray that one day these girls can sign professional contracts and not have to worry about driving five hours,” Valdepena said
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