A Lot of Grit and a Little Good Luck
Women’s Soccer Takes Center Stage
By Bob Boyle
From 1941 to 1979, a period in which Brazil’s men won three World Cups, the country’s National Sports Council prohibited women from playing soccer because it was “incompatible with the condition of their nature.”
Today world soccer power Brazil offers a modern example of social and cultural progress on the move, at least where its girls and women playing soccer is concerned.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 takes place from June 6 through July 5, where the Brazilian Women’s National Soccer Team, led by a player who goes by the name “Marta” (Brazilian soccer players famously identify as a single name).
Marta takes center stage in the tournament as one of the greatest and most decorated players to ever play the game, man or woman. Named FIFA Player of the Year five consecutive times from 2006 – 2010, Marta leads an always entertaining Brazilian team as soccer fans around the world tune in for a showcase of unprecedented talent and heroics on display in six host cities across Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton).
Colorful display of willpower
No strangers to big personalities, cultural statements, high expectations and top world talent, the U.S. Women’s National Team, led by 2012 FIFA Player of the Year and Team Captain Abby Wambach, entered the tournament as a favorite to win their group and with a lot of grit and a little good luck, to also win the tournament.
True to the first prediction, the US Women defeated Nigeria 1-0 in front of a crowd of 52,193 on June 16 at BC Place in Vancouver to win Group D and advance to the Round of 16. By press time, the semi-finalists will be scheduled to play on June 30 in Montreal and July 1 in Edmonton.
Whether or not the US women earn a spot in the “International Final Four” and top echelon of women’s soccer, sports fans around the world will have witnessed a colorful display of collective willpower and leadership on the world stage.
Aspiring female athletes around the world — the future Martas and Abbys of their sport, as well as millions more who just want to see how the big girls run — play, compete and have fun, are watching closely as 552 players and 24 of the world’s top national teams take the field to represent their countries in a bid to become undisputed World Champions of women’s soccer for the next four years.
Compatible with their nature
Local youth sports leaders, coaches and teachers are encouraging their players and students to watch the women play, take notes and dream big.
As Colorado Rapids Academy Staff Coach Daniel Nestor put it in a recent post-season pep talk with his team of 11 year-old girls, “You never know what can happen when you dream big. So watch the World Cup games closely and learn from the greats of the game. Because someday that could be you out there.”
Coach Nestor and his Rapids girls recently earned a spot in the Colorado Soccer Association’s Super League and won the local Kelvin Norman Memorial Tournament on May 31 (see team photo). But more important than the results is the progress and improvement the group made as a team and as individuals committed to improving their game over the past year. Coach Nestor is clear about his player development priorities on this point.
“We wouldn’t necessarily say a whole lot to the kids on a regular basis about trying to reach the pinnacle of the game. Our focus day in and day out is all about enjoyment of the game while learning and becoming better soccer players and ideally young leaders,” he says.
“The soccer experience can play a significant role in helping the girls shape positive outcomes and futures for themselves, whether they become top level soccer players or apply lessons learned on the soccer field to whatever path they choose in life, school or career down the road.”
As a gender-neutral and relatively low cost sport, soccer is a great way for girls to get engaged with sports and there are many local options. As any responsible youth soccer coach will tell you, all you need is a ball, a little imagination and the will to play.
And just try telling any modern American, Mexican, Brazilian, Chinese or Nigerian girl that soccer is “incompatible with the condition of their nature.” You might just end up picking a soccer ball out of the back of your net, or for that matter, eating it for lunch.
Bob Boyle is a Park Hill resident, dad, soccer coach, youth sports advocate and lifelong student-athlete. Watch for more local spotlights on youth sports in future issues. Submit ideas for spotlights, listings and resources from local youth sports and wellness advocates. All feedback, insight, questions and story ideas welcome and appreciated via email at reboyle7@gmail.com.
Local Soccer Info and Resources
• The FIFA 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ runs June 6 to July 5 in six Canadian host cities: Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario; Montréal, Québec; and Moncton, New Brunswick.
• Get to know the US Women’s National Team in “One Nation. One Team. 23 Stories.” The short #USWNT videos @ ussoccer.com are heartfelt, funny, honest and inspirational. Which one is your favorite?
• US Women’s National Team #SheBelieves in her Community – 2015. In the weeks leading up to the World Cup the US women launched the campaign #SheBelieves in her Community – 2015 @ ussoccer.com/stories
• Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club offers a wide range of soccer activities, camps, clinics, programs and expertise. The club works to ensure that all children that wish to play soccer are given an opportunity to play regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Visit the Rapids website for more info and contact information @ rapidsyouthsoccer.org
• 303FUTSAL runs dynamic, high-energy futsal and “street soccer” games, activities and training sessions. All games and activities are designed to improve speed, agility, lateral quickness, coordination, field vision, spatial awareness, athletic creativity and self-expression, all while spurring free play, developing soccer iQ, leadership values, friendly competition and teamwork. Financial assistance, player sponsorships and scholarships available for pre-qualified individuals, groups and community partners. Visit the 303FUTSAL website for more information @ http://www.soccerelectric.com/-303futsal.html