Interview With Emma Townsend-Asselin & the State of Women’s A at Midseason
FPF NEWS
19-06-2025 11:56 PM
Interview With Emma Townsend-Asselin & the State of Women’s A at Midseason
The Spring 2025 Women’s A season has delivered exactly what we expected: high-level football, elite talent, and tight competition across the board. With every team having played at least four games, clear tiers are beginning to emerge.
This week, we’re chatting with Emma Townsend-Asselin of Les Crocs. A baller on both sides of the ball, Emma has been a reliable receiver, and a constant source of energy for her squad. A one time champion and a player in the division who regularly competes in both Women’s and Coed. Emma brings a wealth of experience to her team. Whether it’s hauling in a contested catch or locking down a top receiver, she sets the tone for Les Crocs every week.
What first drew you to flag football, and how did your journey with Les Crocs begin?
Emma:
“Watching my older sister’s games is what really drew me to get into the sport. I was originally a soccer player, but I watched one of her seasons and a year after that, my flag football career began.
I started playing with the Crocs this current season when I was contacted by one of their players, Sarah-Maude Mathieu, who I actually played with in high school. She mentioned her team was looking for girls, and as I really want to play in higher divisions, I accepted. I knew I’d be playing against some very talented girls, which is a great way for me to up my game and get better, so I saw the opportunity and immediately took it.”
You’ve contributed on both offense and defense — do you have a preference, and what draws you to that side of the ball?
Emma:
“Although I really enjoy playing both sides of the ball, I think right now I have a preference for offense. Over the past few seasons, and having gained experience playing against men in coed, I personally find I’ve become sharper on my routes, more aggressive when going for the ball, and my hands have gotten more sure. This growth has led me to lean towards offense more, but as I’m learning so much on defense — especially thanks to my friend and former teammate Rachelle Vallières — that may change over time.”
After a tough loss or a frustrating game, how do you reset and refocus mentally?
Emma:
“I find in the regular season I don’t need much recovery after most losses — I tend to just make sure my team keeps their heads up. I have an ‘on to the next’ mentality, so once we’ve talked about what went wrong and how to improve, it’s time to focus on the next game.
Playoffs are a different story though. I’ve had a fair share of tough losses in the playoffs, and usually the immediate aftermath is very quiet. Especially in semis and finals, I like to take time to myself and just think about the game, the performance, what needs improvement. Once everything has settled, that’s when I’ll regroup with my team and talk about the game and the next season.”
Who has been the toughest team or player you’ve faced in Women’s A, and what made them such a challenge?
Emma:
“I’ve only played two games in Women’s A so far, so there’s a ton of players I have yet to face, but one who made an impression was Frédérique Paul during our game against Bleu Poud last week. I don’t believe I’ve ever played against her in the past, but she was a very solid defensive player.
I was lined up on offense on her side most of the game and she was very aggressive, played her position well, and always seemed to be in the right spot. She’s got great defensive reads and techniques, and it’s really no surprise she made Team Canada.”
How do you get ready for a game — any pregame habits or rituals you stick to?
Emma:
“I wouldn’t say I have a ritual, but two habits I have are my music and my warm-up. Most of the time I have a pretty far drive to my games, so I’ve always got some loud music in the car the whole way there. That’s where I’m able to disconnect from the outside world and start thinking about the game.
I do the exact same warm-up each time, so I guess that’s sort of become another habit. During my warm-up, I’ll think about plays, routes, defensive techniques, communication — things like that to be more focused once I’m on the field.”
What moment in your FPF career are you most proud of so far?
Emma:
“What I’m most proud of in my FPF career is my confidence growth in my gameplay. I don’t doubt myself or my skills anymore. I got the chance to play with and against so many different people, and my confidence grew a lot.
I think playing in high divisions like this and meeting so many different people is what’s really allowed me to grow as a player. They’ve all given me tips and tricks, so it’s truly thanks to all my former and current teammates that I am where I am now.”
In your opinion, what’s the key thing Les Crocs needs to focus on in the second half of the season to make a playoff run?
Emma:
“The several changes to the team this season have created some challenges, but I think our defense needs to really focus on communication right now and be more aggressive. If we stop letting so much go by on defense, we allow our offense to put more points up with less pressure.
As for offense, I think reading the opposing team’s defense and adjusting certain plays would be very helpful. Sometimes certain plays just won’t work with what the other team is doing, and being able to adjust from one down to the next is super important in my opinion.”
Having played in both Women’s and Coed, how does your mindset or approach shift between the two formats?
Emma:
“Playing against men in coed was a big adjustment when I first started, but I’ve learned to be more aggressive on defense, especially when it comes to shooting down when playing short. They’re fast, so I need to adapt and do the same. It’s become more about anticipating and trusting your gut — once you hesitate in your position, you get beat.
Over time I brought the same mentality over to my women’s games, so I’d say that right now I have the same mindset for both divisions.”
Looking back at the past year, what part of your game do you feel has grown or improved the most?
Emma:
“I can confidently say that over the past year, my biggest improvement has been my catching skills. My defensive reading is a very close second, but on offense I trust myself with making those hard catches now.
This past winter I got to play with Kevin Wyeth in Coed 1, and one thing is for sure — he does not go soft on his throws. I improved a lot because of that, and I now have sure hands and even more confidence on offense on the field.”
Subzero (5–0)
The reigning champions are still at it, dominating both sides of the ball en route to an undefeated start. Subzero leads the division in point differential (+68) and has outscored opponents 140–72 through five games.
Their defense remains their calling card — stingy, smart and opportunistic. Tamara Journeau (2 INTs) and Sabrina Gervais (2 INTs) have been key in the secondary, and their entire unit flies to the ball. They routinely shut down opposing #1’s and force quarterbacks into mistakes. Offensively, they rely on smart, methodical drives. Quarterback Sara Parker continues to manage the game with poise, avoiding turnovers and capitalizing on short fields created by the defense.
They face IceCold in their next matchup — a rematch of their Week 2 game where Subzero held them to just 13 points. That result may be hard to replicate this time around.
IceCold quarterback Athena Ryan leads the division in both touchdowns (20) and interceptions (10), making her one of the most dangerous — yet high-risk — playmakers in Women’s A. The last time these teams met, the game was played in cold, wet, and windy conditions.
With better weather likely this time, expect a different kind of shootout. While Subzero remains the favorite, don’t be surprised if IceCold finds the end zone a few more times this go around.
Subzero is built for winning — and they look ready to repeat. They are the best team in Canada
Cayenne (3–1)
No one in the division scores faster than Cayenne (when they have their full roster). Their offense is as dynamic as it gets, led by quarterback Sandrine Gobeil-Huot, who has posted a near-perfect 149.1 QB rating through two games (453 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs). Emma Racine continues to be a terror for opposing defenses with 246 yards and 6 touchdowns on just 16 receptions — an elite blend of speed, body control, and YAC ability.
Cayenne’s defense is also elite. Alexane Fournier has 3 interceptions and 2 pick-sixes, while Virginie Aubut-Ménard leads the team in tackles (11) and has a staggering 9 pass deflections. They’re aggressive, athletic, and swarm to the ball.
They too have an upcoming showdown with IceCold.
Matrix (2–3)
Matrix opened the season with a dominant 34–0 win over Les Crocs, but since then have battled inconsistency. They’ve dropped tight games to Monarchs and BLEU POUD and failed to score more than 13 points in those losses. Quarterback Élisabeth Ashkar has been good, throwing for 306 yards and 6 touchdowns, but the offense needs to be more consistent in finishing drives.
The defense is capable but hasn’t made enough splash plays. Veterans like Abigaelle Perrault and bring experience, but Matrix will need more interceptions, — to support their offense.
The games against BLEU POUD looms large. In their last 2 games BLEU POUD has had a dominant win followed by a very close loss to Subzero. This game could go either way.
Monarchs (2–3)
Don’t let the record fool you — Monarchs are among the most dangerous teams in the division. Their offense is elite. Quarterback Andréanne Cadorette has been fantastic in the games she has been there for. She’s developed strong chemistry with her top three receivers: Morgane Le Foll (285 yards), Abygael Beauregard (233 yards), and Sara Maude Harvey (164 yards), all of whom average over 10 yards per catch.
Defensively, Marion Drainville is a monster. In just two games, she’s posted 15 tackles and 5 pass deflections — disrupting passing lanes and limiting big plays. Monarchs play fast football and match up well against every team in the league.
They’ve already faced IceCold and Subzero once. In the rematches, expect fireworks.
They play Les Crocs next, a game I expect them to win.
IceCold (2–3)
No team in the division has played a tougher schedule than IceCold — and they’ve been competitive in every single game. Quarterback Athena Ryan leads the entire division in passing yards (1164) and touchdowns (20), and she continues to elevate her team with her aggressive, high-volume style.
Ashley Longin is her top weapon — 305 yards and 6 touchdowns — and has drawn a lot of attention in recent weeks. On defense, Sara-Eve Asselin has a staggering 32 tackles, Laeticia Ngaleu adds 21 tackles and 2 INTs, and Elodie Lachapelle has chipped in 17 tackles and 3 picks.
If IceCold gets into the playoffs, nobody will want to face them. They play Subzero next, they are underdogs but it presents a great opportunity for revenge.
BLEU POUD (1–3)
BLEU POUD is far better than their record shows. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with IceCold and Subzero, losing both by one score. Their lone win? A 50–6 explosion against Les Crocs that showed their ceiling when everything clicks. Quarterback Emmanuelle Bronsard has been efficient and dangerous, throwing for 696 yards and 12 TDs to just 1 INT. Her deep ball has opened up the field for stars like Julia Paradis Roberge (312 yards, 5 TDs) and Marina Scalzo-Chrétien (208 yards, 4 TDs).
Defensively, Audrey Lajoie has been phenomenal. She leads the division with 5 interceptions, and her ability to read quarterbacks and jump routes gives BLEU POUD a game-changing presence. Béatrice Tremblay (9 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack) and Sarah Berbiche (12 tackles, 1 INT) round out an underated core.
They see Matrix next, lets see what happens.
Les Crocs (1–3)
It’s been a rollercoaster for Les Crocs, who opened with three tough losses before breaking through with a clutch 18–6 win over Matrix. Offensively, quarterback play has been inconsistent. Catherine Schinck and Katryne Bilodeau have combined for just 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions across four games.
The receiving corps, however, is legit. Emma Townsend-Asselin has produced 92 yards and a touchdown in just two appearances, and she remains the spark for this group. Sarah-Maude Mathieu and Koralie Leduc provide additional depth and reliability.
Defensively, Stephanie Garey has 15 tackles and 2 picks, and Koralie Leduc leads the team with 14 tackles. The talent is there. If the qb play can improve, they may make a push for that last playoff spot.