Amazing Young Women Spotlight | Sydney Schaaf

RICHMOND, VA (September 6, 2017) – The ECNL and the Amazing Young Women movement is dedicated to showcasing females that have helped shape the league into the top female youth soccer development platform in the world. As part of the movement, the ECNL is encouraging amazing young women to share their stories.

We are excited to announce Sydney Schaaf as the ECNL Amazing Young Woman Spotlight of the Week. Schaaf is a current ECNL Player for FC Wisconsin and was nominated for this award by her ECNL teammate, Liz Murphy, during our August S’Hero SoccerGrlProbs’ social media contest.

“Sydney deserves the recognition and for her story to be shared because of her dedication to the game. She is always at the field, and spent all summer training to get closer to achieving her dream of playing college soccer,” Murphy said about her FC Wisconsin teammate, Schaaf. “She views criticism as the next challenge, always looking for ways to better her game and herself  in addition to working on personal goals, she is constantly challenging, encouraging and helping others on their journey.”

Schaaf’s leadership, ability to empower others and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game make her a perfect fit for the Amazing Young Woman Spotlight. We caught up with her for a Q&A to get to know here a little better.

Q: How old were you when you started playing soccer?
A: 6 years old.

Q: Who is your soccer idol?
A: Mia Hamm.

Q: What is your favorite part about playing in the ECNL?
A: My favorite part about playing in the ECNL is the high level of competition players are exposed to across the country. Every team you play against is a worthy opponent, and every game you play is an opportunity to learn something new and get better.

Q: What is your favorite memory from your soccer career?
A: My favorite memory from my soccer career is the ECNL showcase in Phoenix. It is so fun to be able to travel to another state with my best friends to play the game we love!

Q: What was your reaction when you were nominated to be an Amazing Young Woman Spotlight? And what was your reaction when you won?
A: I was so surprised to see that my teammate nominated me! It was very unexpected, and I am humbled she thought of me. When I won the contest, I was overwhelmed with excitement.  I am thankful for both the ECNL and my teammate for giving me the opportunity to share my story.

Q: Who would you nominate as an Amazing Young Woman Spotlight? Why?
A: I would nominate Taylor Kerwin. She just graduated from our club last year and is currently playing for the University of Louisville. She was my ride to practice every day, and a role model for me as a player. She defines dedication and taught me to always give 100% at practice and in games, because it is all about what you put in.

Q: What 5 adjectives would you use to describe an Amazing Young Woman?
A: Intelligent, Honest, High Achiever, Passionate, and Empowered.

Q: What is your favorite quote? What does it mean to you?
A: “Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn’t let them down, because you told them the truth. And that truth is that you did everything that you could. There wasn’t one more thing that you could’ve done. Can you live in that moment, as best you can, with clear eyes and love in your heart?” – Coach Gary Gaines (Movie: “Friday Night Lights”)

To me this quote accurately describes the feeling every player feels when they step onto a soccer field. You want to play your hardest and your best because your teammates are doing the same, and when you all work together towards the same goal you come out winning whether you win the game or not.

Q: Do you have any superstitions that you follow? If so, what are they?
A: I have one pre-game superstition that I have to listen to these two songs (Remember the Name by Fort Minor and Lose Yourself by Eminem) before every game.

Thank you, Sydney Schaaf, for embodying what it means to be a leader for your teammates and within your club, as well as representing the league and the sisterhood that lives in the ECNL community. We wish you the best of luck this season and in the rest of your soccer journey!

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About Amazing Young Women^TM:  Launched by the ECNL, the Amazing Young Women is a dynamic platform of online and local market activations that showcase and celebrate female role models offering an aspirational focus for all female athletes and teens as they prepare to be our next generation of leaders.  The ECNL is calling on all of the nation’s women to join the movement to celebrate the endless potential of today’s girls.

Women of all ages can share their personal moments of inspiration through social media and at www.AmazingYoungWomen.com.  Every share and submission helps drive a movement that celebrates the power of what it is to be a girl today.

Amazing Young Women of the ECNL will be showcased at AmazingYoungWomen.com. Through testimonials, tips and tools, the website is providing all girls to view, share, and celebrate what it is to be motivated, strong, and successful.

About Elite Clubs National League:  The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for college and youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs.  The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.

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