Director of Female Programming Announcement
The Sherwood Park District Soccer Association is thrilled to announce that Payton Ross will be joining the SPDSA Technical Team effective August 1st, 2021.
Shaun Lowther, SPDSA Technical Director, is delighted to announce the addition of Payton Ross to the SPDSA Technical Staff as “Director of Female Programming” and had this to say about the appointment, “Payton will be a breath of fresh air to the SPDSA as she will bring a youthful enthusiasm to the department that will allow Payton to connect with the talented group of female players we have within the Association.”
Lowther continued to say “Payton grew up in the SPDSA and her elevation as a player at the highest level of play in Canada and the USA allowed her to experience many quality coaches and programs. These experiences and her educational background will allow Payton to inspire future generations of Sherwood Park female players and coaches to embrace the “Beautiful Game.”
Payton had this to say about taking on the new position.
“I’m thrilled to be starting as the Director of Female Programming for Sherwood Park Soccer. The SPDSA started my soccer career and has been home throughout my development. Having the opportunity to step into the role of coach and mentor for young athletes starting on that same journey is an exciting new opportunity for me. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for young women in sport, as well as fostering a safe and competitive environment for them to excel. I hope to promote a love for the game that lasts a lifetime! I hope that I can bring a fresh new voice and perspective to Sherwood Park Soccer, as well as uphold and promote the values Sherwood Park Soccer instilled in me.”
“I fell in love with soccer while playing for Sherwood Park. I started as a little kicker and came up through the program. My first season of competitive soccer was with Sherwood Park United, back before Sherwood Park rebranded to become Phoenix.”
“I had the pleasure of being taught and mentored by some of the best coaches of my playing career while in Sherwood Park. The instruction I received while playing Phoenix soccer is, in my opinion, what earned me my place among the handful of girls who were selected to be a part of the regional performance center created by FC Edmonton and Alberta Soccer, a pilot program for what is now REX, and ultimately what earned me my scholarship to play in the states. I continued playing with Sherwood Park and supplemented my training with RPC sessions and coaching. Within the same year, I started to play Major League soccer as an underage player. I had the chance to continue my soccer career at the University of Texas at El Paso while earning a degree in Kinesiology with a focus in exercise science. My four years in the States proved to be the greatest challenge of my career. Being asked as a freshman to fill a hole in the starting lineup and play big minutes was an undertaking, but I felt confident in the fundamental and tactical skills that had been instilled in me as a youth player in the years spent training at home in Sherwood Park.”
