IWD: Coaching Feature
International Women's Day 2024
We're proud of the amazing women and girls in our programs, behind the bench, and in the stands! Together we celebrate the women in our game and our lives! Read below for our features on our fantastic Phoenix FC women coaches!
Colleen Skitsko - U11 Girls (Tier 2 + Tier 3)
Who is your biggest inspiration?
The kiddos I coach inspire me to be the best coach I can be, so that I can help them grow to be the best players they can be. In addition to the players, I feel inspired by every coach that comes on a field with a positive attitude, a passion for the game, and finds joy in the little successes with their teams. Those coaches that can find big moments of celebration for the small moments of growth with their athletes inspire me and fuels my love of coach mentorship and player development.
What got you into coaching?
My oldest daughter started showing a love for soccer at a very young and we used to joke she started to walk just so she could learn to kick a ball. She started playing in 2013/2014 and when the desperate plea for coaches came out, I caved and offered to help. Richard Espinoza was the TL at the time and he took me under his wing and started mentoring me and just encouraged me more and more to be on the field. When my daughter then moved into the U9 competitive side, Richard signed me up unwillingly as his assistant coach haha. And I’ve been here ever since ;)
What do you love about soccer (or sport in general)?
I love that sport offers such a positive environment for these players to grow like minded friendships and it provides modelling and opportunities for building confidence, resiliency, competition and goal setting. The aspect of problem solving is probably my favourite part in coaching soccer specifically. Being able to problem solve quickly on the field is such a huge part of understanding and growing your game knowledge and I love watching it come together more and more every season they play. I also love the the passion the players have toward their goals, and watching them push themselves to achieve them.
Where do you think you’ve grown the most as a coach or as a person through your experience in coaching?
When you start at square one, there is nowhere but up haha I have grown in every way! All the coaches I have worked with at Phoenix such as Richard, Dhee, Dano, Payton, Tyler, and Bernie have each taught me so much about the game, about player interaction and player development. Likely the biggest area of growth would be confidence, and just believing in my coaching voice/opinion and to push myself with session developing, session delivery and moving forward with higher levels of coaching education. Through that coaching education, I have met, worked with, built friendships and learned from amazing coaches outside of the club as well. I am a believer that you can learn something from everyone on your field, player and coach, adapt it to your methodology and become a better coach because of it.
What is your advice to other girls/women looking to play or coach?
Female representation is so important for our young athletes, both male and female. I think females and males have different voices born from different experiences and those differing voices are so important when developing well rounded athletes. Specifically for female coaches, we need you. The sport needs you. You don’t have to be an ex pro player to be a fantastic coach. Fantastic coaches are often just fantastic people who have a willingness to learn from those around them. It doesn't have to be a coaching role right away, you can start as a bench parent, come help out on field, grow your confidence and then move into a coaching role. There is a starting point for anyone willing to try, and we would love to have you!
Megan Isbister - U11 Girls (Tier 1)
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I'd like to say it's a big soccer name, but honestly I don't really have 1 person who I am inspired by, but look at different attributes from different coaches and people that I aspire to be more like and try to be better by just a little bit everyday.
What got you into coaching?
Playing sports, since I graduated high school and received my teaching degree, I have been involved in coaching some kind of sport each year. I originally became a teacher, because it gave me lots of opportunities to coach.
What do you love about soccer (or sport in general)?
The camaraderie that comes from a united team is truly a blessing to watch in Soccer or any other sport for that matter.
Where do you think you’ve grown the most as a coach or as a person through your experience in coaching?
I have learnt very early on that winning does not make a successful season. Seeing growth in players and a team truly defines success. Watching players excel, have fun and work hard is a great thing to be a part of. Players will not necessarily remember winning a particular game, but they will remember a coach who is always positive, always pushing players to be better, and who is kind and caring. I try to bring this as much as possible everyday.
What is your advice to other girls/women looking to play or coach?
It is extremely rewarding. You don't have to be the best athlete to be a coach. If you have a love for kids and love for sport, everyone can bring something important and powerful to the table. With our current group of girls, we have several female role models - and because of this, I believe we have fostered a strong group of young girls, who are not only skillful, but also resonate all the qualities of our female voices and actions on and off the field. The group of girls are all supportive of one another and we strive to push the girls to build each other up. I hope through my coaching, I have a small bit of influence on the girls to play and love sport for a lifetime. I am so proud to be a part of the core group of U11 girls, all of them, not just the team I coach.
