Coach Sydney on Women’s History Month and More
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
To me, Women’s History Month pays respect to and honors every woman who helped fight for equality and get us to where we are today. While we women are far from being equal to our male counterparts, women before me have helped close the gap, and I believe the month pays tribute to them.
Who is a female role model you look up to?
A female role model I look up to is my mom! My mom is a very powerful woman who speaks out against everything she believes in. No matter the adversity she faces, she always puts on a smile and does everything she can to make my sisters’ and my life better. Despite raising three girls, she continues to be an attorney and is able to support her family while being an amazing mom!
What are the top three things soccer has given you?
Friends for life
Time management skills
The importance of work ethic
Tell us a little about your soccer journey or coaching journey. When and how did you get into it?
I started playing soccer when I was four years old, and I haven’t looked back. In second grade, I joined Lamorinda Soccer Club and played for them until I graduated high school. I now play college soccer at San Francisco State, which is where I first heard about Girls Leading Girls. This is my second year coaching for this program, and I have loved my time working with such an amazing organization.
Why do you believe in the power of girls?
Growing up with two sisters, I have always seen the power we girls and women have. Knowing how far we have come to gain equality inspires me to continue to fight for even more.
Can you share a favorite inspirational quote or personal mantra you love?
My favorite quote is “You grow through what you go through,” which to me is taking every opportunity and experience you face and learning from it to further better yourself. Another personal mantra I have is “Everything happens for a reason.” This is very big for me, especially as a soccer player, as there are so many ups and downs of the game, including injuries that you cannot control.
Can you share a story of a time you experienced racism/sexism on the pitch, whether you were aware of it at the time or not?
One of my coaches growing up used to always talk about how coaching boys and girls was different because some coaches feel they cannot be as hard on girls as they are on boys. While my coach never coached boys and girls differently, what he said always makes me think about why our gender matters. Some people think they have to be easy on us girls because we can’t handle it, but being told the truth only makes you stronger and a better player.