By SMSA Sport's Journalist: Maida Gobeljic

Soccer, known as "fùtbol" on the European side, is not just a sport to people; it's a way life. The admiration for soccer, from childhood on, creates a unique bond with memories between the fan and the sport. This relationship can often turn an interest in soccer into an undying love for the sport. Kaitlyn Kennedy is a student teacher at Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, and most importantly, is the coach for the Girls Varsity Soccer team. Ms. Kennedy has been playing soccer since she was four years old, and has developed her love for the sport ever since.

Kennedy played for FSA (Farmington Sports Arena) when she was younger, which is one of the most competitive teams in the state; she loved the competitive side. Kennedy talks of her primary goal while playing soccer, and explains, “I always wanted to get better and be better, I always wanted to train on the side of the practices. I would be outside every day, five days a week.” She has always wanted to have the best skills, and know the best techniques. 

She played other sports, such as basketball, but nothing beat the love she had for soccer. Kennedy has also participated in two marathons, and is hoping to run in more.  She went to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she had four very successful years, both on and off the field. Her favorite position was, without doubt, center-mid, “I love controlling the game, and feeling like a leader,” Kennedy said.

After college, she decided she wanted to try coaching the sport she loved. She coached one year as an assistant coach at Eastern where she was sort of, “behind the scenes,” as she calls it. Kennedy helped the players see the bigger picture of just playing the sport, and also built many memories and bonds with them along the way. 

One of Kennedy’s biggest challenges as a coach was the transition from coaching college girls to U-9 and 10 girls. As a coach for the U-9 and 10 girls, she had players who didn’t know how to pass the ball, and didn’t have much technical foundation. “I remember calling one of my coaches and asking for help; I didn’t know how to help them. I was so used to coaching players with experience, and who knew how to play. Last year I learned how to be a better coach with teaching specific skills,” Kennedy remarks. “I’m also a bigger picture person, I want to create memories for them and develop relationships with the players. I want them to become better people, teammates, and better players.” Coaching has taught her a new meaning for the game that she didn’t have as a player; it showed her that there is a mental toughness that goes along with being a player; one that everyone should have. 

Kennedy organized a pre-soccer warm up for the SMSA girls during the summer, in order for them to have a taste of what the season would be like. Kennedy still researches activities for the girls, and is trying to get national diplomas. “I’m online trying to find how to make players better in terms of their character and their moral skills.” 

A typical workweek for the Ms. Kennedy and the team is based on game performance; Mondays will usually be practice and Tuesdays games. Kennedy states, “Tuesday games usually will determine how the rest of the week will be set up. Wednesday trainings are usually light, but really focused on mostly tackle and focusing on defending.”  According to her, it never really stops. 

At one game this season, the team was down in the first half, came back the second, yet still ended up losing. A player told Coach Kennedy that, “they might have lost the game, but they won the second half.” This makes her, and the team feel better about the loss. It shows her that the players are learning how to be better team players, not just better skills-wise. It might have been a loss on paper, but if it was hard fought, then it’s not really a loss. She addresses this idea stating, “When our performance is the reason we lost, I am a sore loser; but if we fight to the end, I’ll take the loss.”

 When asked why she loves the game of soccer, Ms. Kennedy became teary eyes and choked up; “You’re trying to make me cry,” she says. “It’s who I am. My work ethic, my memories, and the relationships I’ve had.” Everyone has that sport they can run to and play to get their mind off things. That sport was soccer for Miss. Kennedy, it was always a constant in her life. “Its like your best friend. It teaches you how to be the best person, teammate and player.”

The advice she would to give to other coaches and players is, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong.” She always wants to learn something new, and still asks questions when she goes to soccer conventions. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone knows how to admit to it. “ I think when you can admit that you’re wrong, you can grow a lot more.” Kennedy explains. “People won’t remember your stats, they will remember who you are as a teammate.”