Empowering Young Girls Through The Art of Leading By Example

A long time ago, when I was a girl, I played soccer and I loved it. I remember the day my dad came into the kitchen with an AYSO pamphlet and asked me if I wanted to give it a whirl. I responded without hesitation, “yes!” That lead to a 15-year love affair with a sport that taught me about life, how to be a leader, the value of a solid work ethic, humility and scores of memories I hold dear to my heart to this day.

Back then, my idol was Mia Hamm. She was the highest scoring, most dangerous forward in women’s soccer at the time. I wanted to be her. She was a soccer phenom and a force to be reckoned with. To me, there was no one stronger, faster, smarter, prettier or more inspiring than her. In fact, my little girl is named after her. Looking back, I am thrilled that she was the one I chose to idolize. Presently, not so pumped about the “role models” (and I use that term loosely) media is shoving down our daughters throats these days. I know there are amazing  women out there for young girls to look up to, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit to having a hard time getting past Miley Cyrus’s over-exposed pubic area to really see who they are.

Fast forward twenty years, and boy did that time fly, I am assistant coaching my little girl’s soccer team.  The experience has been both enlightening and, often times, hilarious. If I could describe 6-year-old soccer in two words, I believe “herding cats” would be an accurate description. And, if I can be honest, I wasn’t totally thrilled about the gig.  Lots of floppy ankles, flower picking, goal net hanging, sometimes tangling and just a lack of interest all around, and that initially left me with a tinge of a bad attitude,  but then it dawned on me.  My job is soooo much more than instructions on proper form and net untangling. My job as a woman and former athlete is to convey through experience all of the qualities we want our daughters to obtain as they develop and grow. Listen, I am not saying I am Mia Hamm.  I am not. But, I happen to know what it looks like through the eyes of a little girl, when she sees the image of a women that represents strength.  I was that little girl once.

These are a list of qualities I hope to instill in these young athletes this season:

1. Work your ass off.

2. Be a leader.

3. Get dirty.

4. Use your voice.

5. Celebrate!

6. Display good sportsmanship.

7. Listen to your peers.

8. Don’t get mad. Get even.

9. Leave it on the field.

10.Have a friggin’ blast.