‘It’s about building trust’: Casey Stoney ready to help Canadian women’s soccer program evolve
Casey Stoney is ready to bring joy back to the pitch for the Canadian women’s soccer team — but first, she plans to establish trust.
“I think it’s really important to build that connection with them, start to build that trust in them as a coach and make sure I get to know them as people,” Stoney said in an interview with CBC Sports. “I’m here to do a job for Canada. I’m here to take this program forward.”
Following the drone-spying scandal that unravelled at the Paris Olympics and the subsequent firing of former head coach Bev Priestman, Stoney joins the role at a precarious time for the program.
Despite the circumstances, she’s quick to acknowledge the strength of the players and says the team is in a “positive place.”
“I think what I saw from them last year was such a resilient group that was so together and able to do something in really difficult circumstances,” Stoney said. “There’s so much talent in the player pool it just excites me to be able to work with them and hopefully take them to the next level.”
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In a group call with the team ahead of the Monday announcement, Stoney says she emphasized her plans to build a strong team culture.
“The first thing I said to them on the call was that I’m a players’ coach. ‘I’m here for you, I’m here to support you, I’m here to challenge you, I’m here to stretch you, I’m here to guide you. My leadership is about making you better,'” she told the team.
While Stoney has not yet had the chance to hold individual conversations with team members, she says quite a few of the women have reached out to her with “really positive reactions.”
Janine Beckie, Canadian team full-back and three-time Olympian, told CBC Sports that Stoney is the “perfect fit” for the job.
Beckie’s encouraging words were echoed by Desiree Scott, three-time Olympic medallist and former Canadian national team player, who said Stoney will help the organization to turn a new leaf.
“She’s got a good resume behind her, a lot of playing experience as well. I think she wants to just continue to grow the game, help us turn the leaf with a lot of things that have been happening recently. I think she’s really going to develop players in the program,” Scott said in an interview with CBC Sports.
Stoney called the votes of confidence she’s received as “huge compliments.”
“These were unbelievable players, and now obviously coaching as well, and some have great jobs in their coaching careers,” she said. “It’s an honour to take this team forward, and hopefully we can involve some of those players in the program and make sure that they stay part of the fabric of the Canadian soccer landscape.”
In February, the Canadian women will lace up their cleats at the Pinatar Cup under Stoney’s leadership for the first time.
Stoney says she plans to bring love and joy back into the Canadian team’s environment. “Where they can just be free, and play, and enjoy what they’re there to do, which is win football games and perform.”
