Strengthening the Community Through Soccer

On September 26 and 27, Thunder Bay was visited by two prolific women soccer players and coaches from the USA. Cassidy Leake and Bonnie Young led two days of on-field soccer clinics for local women’s teams as a part of the US State Department Sports Envoy program. The weekend included soccer-based activities, games, leadership and team-building training for the players to participate in.

The US State Department Sports Envoy brings athletes to countries around the world to develop skills, encourage young athletes, and share the love of sports. Leake and Young say this particular visit was focused on building leadership skills for young women soccer players. 

“A big focus of the session is team culture and bringing the team together, but the program in general is connecting women in sports across the world, " Leake remarks. She adds, “Sports keep kids out of other activities that might not be as productive as sports, where you're learning leadership skills, team building, and how to exist as part of a unit.”

Leake began playing soccer at the age of three and eventually made her way into the collegiate and pro leagues. Along with coaching, she now plays on the US CP Women’s team, is on the US Soccer Board, and has also played on the Paralympic team.  

Young began coaching at the professional level after years of playing in college and professional leagues. She believes it's important to grow the soccer community and inspire young women athletes to be leaders. 

“Leadership comes from a lot of the things you learn from playing. The leadership ability comes from using your voice and being comfortable with it,” Young says.

“The talent in Thunder Bay is amazing, and we’re excited to see where soccer takes them. She adds, "It's a great, strong soccer community and we want to continue to keep strengthening it.” 

The soccer duo is also excited for the FIFA World Cup. Young and Leake say the tournament, which is co-hosted by Canada, the US, and Mexico, is a great opportunity for athletes and fans to support each other and celebrate soccer. Especially with the political tensions between the countries in North America, the World Cup is a chance to work together in spite of everything happening. 

“The World Cup exposes you to different people,” Leake says, “I think it’s an amazing celebration of cultures.”