Milena AbbasMamode

How old are you?

I'm 30 years old

When did you start playing American football?

In 2012.

How/why did you get started?

I moved to a new city and I was looking a new hobby/sport and found American football. I went to try it once and that’s where the story began. 😃

With what teams have you played? Where are you playing for 2021?

  • 2012 - 2016 with Jyväskylä Jaguars 2012-2016
  • 2017 - 2019 with Tampere Saints 2017-2019
  • 2020 - currently with Turku Trojans
  • 2014-2019 with Finnish Women's National Team

Do you coach, are you on any boards or committees, or are you somehow involved in the sport outside of just playing it?

I coach defensive line coach for the men's second division team Pirkkala Spartans, I'm the Girls' U19 National Team Head Coach, and I am the sarjapäällikkö [league manager] for the U19 and U17 Girls' League.

What is your biggest football-related accomplishment?

Personal: becoming a two-time European champion.

For SAJL [Finnish American Football League]: the youth series development work I've been able to do.

What is your next football goal?

  • Get more girls and women in the sport. Allow young girls to play in their own series with own ages girls.
  • Develop and support young athletes. At the same time, add more female coaches to Finland.
  • And personally, to become a better defensive line coach.

How do you feel InsideRun represents you and the sport?

I think it's a great and awesome idea -- special and different and it’s great to be involved. InsideRun represents something new and exciting so I'm super happy to be an Insider.

What opportunities has football given you?

I have met amazing people and made great contacts. With the national team I have been able to travel and get to know the culture of American football in other countries. One of the biggest things personally was to represent American football on the television program Gladiators.

What lessons has football taught you?

Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.