Why She Plays
Payton Ross
Director of Female Programming
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I’ve been playing soccer, for about 18 years! And I’ve played In Sherwood Park for all of them.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: There are so many things that I love about soccer! So ill give you my top 3
1. The friends I have made playing the game are people who have been with me for the rest of my life! All across North America.
2. Soccer gives me a way to stay active and healthy, both physically and mentally
3. Soccer has for as long as I can remember been a tool, I’ve used to build my confidence! It has allowed me to feel at home in my body, to love my strength and size.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: Kadisha Buchanan, a Center Back on the Canadian women’s national team! I love how she can play the game with so much composure without ever losing the edge that she brings to the field.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: I would tell athletes Soccer is so much more than just a game; it can be your greatest teacher. I have learned to win and lose with grace, how to take instruction and receive criticism, to collaborate and communicate with others, how to problem solve and manage my time. It allows players to take a break and prioritize their physical and mental health, to be social and make connections.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: The #sheplays initiative is incredibly close to my heart. Soccer has given me so much of my life. The teammates I’ve played with are some of my best friends to this day, my soccer scholarship paid entirely for my post secondary education. It has given me my job. Very few people are afforded the opportunities that I was given and fewer women than men. Women is sport are still fighting for a seat at the table when it comes to, all levels of sport, collegiate, professional, and international. Our job as women and allies, is to fight until we are given the same opportunities. Until we SHATTER the glass ceiling.
Alyvia Smith
Striker - Phoenix 2008 PDP
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 12 years, since I was about 2 years old.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: The physical challenge and working with a team. I just love playing the game.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: Janine Beckie is my favourite! She's super athletic, fast and can play all over the field.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Be confident in yourself for just showing up. Don't over think your game in the moment. I've struggled with this and am learning to just be in the game when it's happening.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: It's important to support female soccer players because we are good athletes too! It should be known and ok for women/girls to try to play professional sports and it should be equal to men's professional sports.
Amanda Smith
Communication and Member Service
Women's Rec. Player - FEROCIA FC
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 27-ish years or so.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: There are so many things! The opportunities for learning and teaching the game. Being part of a welcoming and caring environment. Getting fitness without it feeling like "work". Being physically, emotionally and cognitively challenged in one space. Creating, cultivating and enjoying relationships with teammates that last a literal lifetime. Most importantly (as I always say as a coach), having SO MUCH FUN!
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: The Canadian Women's National Team is doing incredible things! Not only are they showing up on the field, they are showing up for the female side of the sport off the field. They are pushing for equal rights, creating a women's pro league in Canada, and focused on growing the sport for the next generation. #FIERCE
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Show up and be kind to each other. It doesn't matter which level you play at, how much your team wins, your shape, size, fitness level, intelligence... Struggle through a game or training, or blast it out of the sky! Just show up, commit to the moment, and welcome others along the way. Be gracious, humble and find the joy!
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Sport is for every person. Full stop. #ShePlays increases awareness if disparity in sport, in this case soccer. We need to level the playing field in terms of accessibility, affordability, sports tourism, sport as a career, etc., so that when we get an incredible team on the field, all they have to focus on is the joy of their sport!
Colleen Skitsko
Grassroots Technical Lead
Phoenix U9 Boys, U10 Girls Coach
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I have been on field either as a player or coach for over 15 years.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I love that soccer builds mental and physical strength. As a teacher, I love seeing the problem solving the players need to do on the field and watch their growth in understanding of the game. I also love the diversity in player skills! Each player on the field can have a different strength, ie. speed, technical, game awareness, defending, and when each player adds their individual strength to the field, it makes their team stronger. It truly is a team sport!
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: I can name many players that I have been inspired by over the years but my biggest inspiration, in this stage of my soccer career as a coach, has been Richard Espinoza. Richard has been mentoring me for over 10 years and has changed the way I view and coach the game. Richard taught me to change my rubric of success and to a have more player lead environment focused on development of the all around athlete. He continues to challenge me to grow as a coach, a player and now, how to become a mentor for the new coaches coming up in our program.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Do it! Whether you are looking for a way to stay active, playing to join your friends, finding the game late in life, or a young player who is striving to grow their development to their highest potential in this amazing sport, soccer is for everyone! Soccer should be fun first and I hope that everyone who plays can continue their love of the game throughout their life.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: With the spotlight finally landing on females in sport, it is time to allow our athletes to shine. Female soccer is growing and excelling at every level and it’s time stand and show support for an equal stage. To grow and develop our young female players to continue to push and break the barriers being put on them in female sport. She plays is a way to showcase and celebrate all the amazing females in the varied stages of their soccer careers.
Maddilyn Bittner
Phoenix U10 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 5 years
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I love using my feet and kicking the ball. I absolutely love playing keeper.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My teammates
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Do it!! It’s so much fun and you get to learn lots.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: It’s important to me because lots of girls don’t get to play. I want to support girls being able to play the sport.
Everly Wujcik
Phoenix U10 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 5 years
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I love lots of things about soccer- meeting new people, working as a team, and kicking the soccer ball.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: Coach Colleen [Skitsko] & Cristiano Ronaldo
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: It is a really fun sport and you get to meet lots of nice new people.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Girls can play soccer really well, just like boys. Female soccer players can become famous and inspire other people too!
Brianna Skitsko
Phoenix U10 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I have been playing soccer since I was 3.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I like being able to learn with friends and getting taught new skills. I love to be a part of a team.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My biggest inspiration while I was playing soccer has been my coach/my mom, Colleen. She has helped me to understand how to play the sport in fun ways. Another inspiration has been Stephanie Labbe, because I want to be a really good keeper too when I grow up!
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: You should do it because at the beginning it might seem a little hard but your coaches and your teammates make it a lot easier and more fun for you.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: I think it is important because everyone should be treated fairly, especially women. Every women deserves a chance to do what they love.
Nova Yasul-Parry
Phoenix U10 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I have been playing soccer for 6 years.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: The ability to learn from many different people.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: For the most part it has been my teammates, each one has different ways of playing and by watching them play is mind-blowing.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: If you are thinking of playing absolutely give it a try you'll meet lots of different people along the way.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: It's important because women's soccer is starting to become popular and supporting this sport is very important.
Branna Hickey
U11 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: This is my first year.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Interacting with others, meeting new people and having fun.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My brother.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: It’s a lot of fun
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: It’s important to have equality.
Amelia Scott
U7 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I have been playing soccer since I was 2 years old.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I love soccer because I can meet new people and make new friends. I love soccer because it is fun and it challenges me.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My Daddy, because he teaches me about the game, and shows me how to be the best player I can be
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Soccer is the best sport, it allows you to be the best, funnest version of yourself.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Because girls should be allowed to have fun and learn sports, the same as everyone else. Girls can be anything they want to be!
Victoria Galdon
U3
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I played my first day a few weeks ago!
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: I love running with my shoes
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: Kids at school
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: I don’t know yet
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: "It is important to me that girls to get the opportunity to join sports, get active and develop friendships" - Victoria's Mom
Ilse Nash
Phoenix U10 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 7 years
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Soccer is a fun game that's competitive and includes lots of running activity. I personally am very competitive and love to run!
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My dad and my best friend Sarah Lawton
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Soccer is an incredible game you should try it.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: It's important for girls to still play soccer no matter what other people think of it.
Ava Thomson
Phoenix U13 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 9 years (on and off)
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Connecting with other people who share the same love for the sport
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My mom and my pop
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: It’s amazing to find a sport that you love and a community of people who you share a lot of the same interests
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Girls can do anything!
Ava Dickson
U7 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 5 years (since I was 2 years old)
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Having fun playing soccer with my friends while having a good time scoring goals on the field.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My MOM
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: That soccer is fun, I have made some really nice friends on my team, it's a great sport to keep yourself active. Anyone at any level can play soccer, everyone is welcome.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: To show others that playing a sport you love can encourage others to do the same and most importantly have FUN!!! My Mom says it's not about winning its about having fun with your team and be a team player. Lots of laughs on and off the fields.
Camille Russell
U15 Girls
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: 12 years
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Fun, competitive if you want or just for recreation, friends, people to help you, different training available. I enjoy club house!
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: I've had a lot of coaches over the years. So my dad Andrew, & Alec & Jason were all inspiring to me.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Fun sport you should join. There are many opportunities for you depending on what you want to do.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Equal opportunities for girls and women are important we should stand up for one another!
Peyton James
U15 Girls Tier 2
Question 1: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: Since I was 7.
Question 2: What do you love about the sport?
A: Learning new skills, and meeting some of my best friends by playing on the same team.
Question 3: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your soccer career?
A: My keeper coaches Lars and Dylon. They remind me why I love this position even when's its hard.
Question 4: What would you say to girls currently playing or thinking of playing?
A: Soccer is one of the best sports to play. It has it's ups and downs but the ups always win.
Question 5: Why is the She Plays Initiative important to you?
A: Girls need to stick together, and build a support system we can lean on.
