UMKC, NWSL host soccer clinic to show girls how sports can mold future leaders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The NWSL Championship Game is bringing more than just excitement to Kansas City; it’s also helping shape the next generation. Hundreds of girls soccer players were at UMKC Friday night for a clinic to learn about leadership through the game of soccer.

“The soccer field is a classroom,” said Ursula Gurney, UMKC’s Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator. “There are a lot of lessons you can learn with your teammates, with your coaches, and amongst yourself.”

The camp was hosted by the UMKC, the NWSL, and the Women’s Sports Foundation. The goal? To shape young girls into leaders through lessons on the pitch.

“I’ve been a soccer player since I was a little girl and I’ve learned so much about myself and about life,” said Jessica Smith, UMKC’s Head Women’s Soccer coach. “Just lessons about self-worth, confidence, perseverance, and what happens when things don’t go your way. There’s just so many things to learn through the safety of soccer.”

The clinic also included a panel on leadership and resilience, two values athletics can teach in a unique way.

“Sport is a great vehicle to learn, to grow, to integrate yourself into society and become a future leader,” said Gurney. “Sport can be seen as a teaching tool; teamwork, education, time in the classroom, the field.”

On the eve of a historic moment in women’s sports, Smith says the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium will change the future for Kansas City girls.

“You’ve got a generation of young girls that are going to see something right in their city, and see Division I players, professional players, and this is a pathway for them. You’re only going to see the sport expand,” said Smith. “It’s a really cool time to be a young girl in this community.”

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