Player, captain, coach, ref… this girl’s got game
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/09/2022 (247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brooke McNab is a 15-year-old Grade 10 student at J. H. Bruns Collegiate who plays soccer with the Bonivital U15 girls.
“I have been playing soccer since I was four years old (and) I have been playing for Bonivital since I was 10,” she says. “Our U15 team is great. Everyone supports everyone. Our team environment is a lot of fun to be in. I play centre back (and) I like being a defender. I like being able to see what is going with the game in front of me and communicating with my team.
“I am also captain of our team so it is very important for me to communicate at a high level so we all know what is going on during a game.”
Brooke McNab is captain of the Bonivital U15 girls soccer team, and also coaches and referees the sport.
Brooke also coaches younger, would-be soccer players.
“I help coach mini-soccer which is ages four to eight. During the summer I helped coach a men’s camp of nine-to-13 year-olds (and) I also help my dad coach a U11 boys team. I like coaching younger ages to teach young players what I have learned from my coaches. I like to be supportive to the players.”
Continuing to show her true love of the game, Brooke is also a referee.
“I have been reffing since I was 11. I really like reffing. It helps to give me a different perspective of the game,” she says. ‘It has also helped to teach me rules I did not know that have helped me with my own game.”
Sometimes things can get challenging for young people who are brave enough to help the soccer community by being a referee.
“I would ask parents to please try to enjoy the game,” Brooke says. “Refs are trying their very best. We want the game to be enjoyable for everyone.”
Amen to that, Brooke.
Brooke lives in Southdale with her dad Cary and her mom Lisa.
“Thank you so much for bringing me all over Manitoba and cheering me on,” she says. “My mom and dad are always there to help me even if things get tough. They are always there for me.”
Whether ion the pitch or in the classroom, there is no doubt that Brooke has a tremendous future in front of her. She’s also an excellent studenet.
“My favourite class is math. I really like doing the calculations. It is really fun. Last year my average was 95 per cent (and) I received honours with distinction.”
“One day I would love to play at the university level.”
Brooke would like to offer this advice to young athletes:
“Don’t worry what anyone else says. Set a goal and do your best to achieve it. Don’t give up. Put your mind to it and work hard.”
Troy Westwood
Westwood's Sports Heroes
Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies.