Gritty Calgary Rangers defender Clermont bolsters Griffins' fullback corps
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Quick feet, strong defending and the heart and soul type of game that stymies opponents, Ava Clermont has all the skills needed to succeed at the fullback position for the MacEwan Griffins.
The new recruit out of the Calgary Rangers and Saint Francis high school will make the trek north to Edmonton to kick-off a promising Canada West career with the Griffins in 2025-26.
"She's feisty, she gets up and down the pitch well, her service is great, she can create a lot of offence, as well. I think that's been a common theme of the players we're bringing in this year," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro.
"We feel like Ava's someone who's going to be a really important piece to the puzzle."
Cordeiro has been stockpiling players who can play the fullback spot in his 2025 recruiting class, addressing what had been a thin position group.
Clermont is left-footed, so is a great fit on the left side of the pitch. She brings a strong work rate and is accustomed to playing against the opposition's best players, regularly going the full 90 minutes.
"What's really unique about Ava is her ability to be a lockdown defender; her 1v1 defending skills are very good," said Cordeiro. "She's tough to get around because she plays with an edge.
"You partner that with her abilities to get forward, break lines and create quality final acts, her addition is really exciting for us."
