WEEK #42: CLOEY U.

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

 

I play soccer for the St. Kitts and Nevis Women’s National team and for the University of Guelph Women’s soccer team. My biggest accomplishment would be playing in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament where I got to play against Canada, Mexico, and Jamaica this past January. My program of study is Bio-Medical Science at the University of Guelph. Getting into this program was also an accomplishment of mine. My hard work throughout high school academically and athletically paid off! Throughout high school I also was on Principal List. I also coach for the Aurora Football Club. This is where I played soccer my entire life and have started my coaching career. I coach because I like to give back to the young girls that are interested in playing sport. It has been 3 years since I started coaching and this was my first year being a program lead for the U8 girls’ rep soccer team.

 

What are some strategies you use to balance sport and academics?

 

Some strategies I use to balance everything in my life is first simply staying organized. I keep a schedule of when I have schoolwork due, soccer practice, coaching, and the days I work at my other job (at a restaurant). Day-to-day I create a list of things that need to get done. Whether it is schoolwork or session plans for coaching. Playing a sport also helps me balance my academics.

 

How has sport helped you be a better leader?

 

Sport has helped me be a leader in so many ways. Soccer has taught me so much and has made me grow as a person. I used to be shy and not talk a lot, but sport has made me realize that communication is key in sport. This is when I started to realize that sport is not just about your technical ability but also about your mentality, and willingness to help other teammates. I became a better leader on the field when I started talking and helping other teammates on and off the field. This eventually led to me to become a leader as a coach. I was able to gain enough confidence and see how I could use my leadership skills to coach young players. I became more like a leader after I started coaching. Being a coach has taught me about responsibilities, positive mindset, and influencing younger players.

 

What advice do you have for parents, coaches or sport administrators to encourage or improve sport for females?

 

Advice I would have for sport administrators it to encourage older females to coach younger girls. I think as a young girl, you look up to older girls more. Getting females involved in coaching helps build them as a person in so many ways but it also helps those young girls gain confidence to one day be like their older female coach. My sister and I (2 years older) coached a girls’ team this year and the connection that was built between us and the players was incredible. We were happy to have an influence on these young girls not only on their technical ability but as an overall person.

 

What is a quote that motivates you?

 

“It is hard to beat a person who NEVER GIVES UP!” – Babe Ruth

 

Instagram: @cloeyuddenberg