Young women soccer players in Thunder Bay get help in skills development from 2 U.S. elite athletes

Young female soccer players in Thunder Bay are getting a chance to train with two elite athletes from the United States this weekend.

Bonnie Young, who has played professionally and coaches women’s teams at the collegiate level, and Cassidy Leake, who plays for the U.S. Women’s CP National Soccer Team, are in the city from Sept. 25 to 27.

Their visit is part of the U.S. State Department’s Sports Envoy program, to engage with local communities through soccer clinics and motivational talks.

Leake said the focus of the trip is to continue to encourage girls to keep playing soccer.

“Since we got to Thunder Bay, we’ve done a lot of clinics with different club teams in the area, and we also have had lunch with some incredible sports leaders from the area, so it’s just been a really incredible experience to see how well soccer is developing here, specifically on the women’s side,” Leake told CBC Radio’s Up North.

“Both Bonnie and I coach teams that are Olympic development teams in the [United] States … and I would say these girls were equally as strong as players and equipped for the university level soccer as any teams we’ve ever worked with. A super talented group of kids and really kind and respectful with some really strong coaching as well.”

On Thursday the U.S. athletes held a skills clinic and discussion with the Thunder Bay Chill, on Friday they led an on-field clinic and discussion with the Superior Rush and the Chill, and on Saturday they will have an on-field clinic and discussion with the Lakehead University Club Team.

Leake said it’s important to create a space that feels really safe for the girls, “especially in that high school age where we’re seeing a lot of girls deciding to leave the sport.”

“I think it’s really important to celebrate what brings us together and what makes us similar [and] I think that women in sports is something that’s so powerful and continually on the rise,” she said.

Based on her interactions so far, Young agrees that the talent of the young female players in Thunder Bay “is deep.” 

“It was actually a really great group of players that we got to work with…They were all very, very good. I thought the level was high, so it’s a really promising thing for the youth side of the game in Thunder Bay,” she said.

With their visit coming amid the ongoing trade war with the United States, Young said the issue hasn’t come up. 

“I think that’s one of the great things that sports brings us together. It’s a commonality, especially the game of soccer, just throughout any country I’ve ever been in,” Young said.

“No matter what the relations are outside of the game, it’s a point that actually brings us together and it’s more of a celebratory environment when we’re talking about sport and soccer. 

“And it’s a really exciting time with us all hosting the World Cup together — US, Mexico and Canada. If anything, I think it’s bringing us together to celebrate the sport and celebrate the game and encourage more players to stay involved,” added Young.