For my Community Connection project, I interviewed the Technical Director of Port Coquitlam Euro-Rite Soccer Club and former professional soccer player, Oliver Heald.
Mr. Heald used to play for the Vancouver 86er’s, also known today as the Vancouver Whitecaps, for Port Vale and for Scarborough when he was in England, and for the Seattle Sounders.
His roles and responsibilities as being a professional soccer player were to be in proper shape so he could always preform to the best of his abilities throughout the season, but also to conduct himself in a professional manner on and off the field for the team and the club.
I wanted to interview Mr. Heald because one of my passions is playing soccer.
I love playing soccer with my family, friends, or even watching it and learning something new. I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old and I thought that I could interview Mr. Heald and talk to him about soccer, as I play for the U15 Port Coquitlam Euro-Rite Girls soccer team.
Here are some screenshots of emails that Mr. Heald and I had.
What I learned from Mr. Heald is that it takes a great amount of time, work, and effort in order to get to where you want to go in life, like becoming a professional soccer player.
It’s not just about having the talent or skill to play, but to try your best and to put yourself out there.
Here is Mr. Heald’s response to the questions I emailed him:
Ok Sonoma- I hope this helps and thank you for reaching out:)
- My role with being a professional soccer player is to make sure I am in proper shape so I can perform at my best ability throughout the season. Also to conduct myself on and off the field in a professional manner and have the team (club) I play for represented properly and professionally. When a club pays you money you want to make sure you deliver your personal product to match.
- Well I started my professional career over seas in England and as a “foreigner” playing abroad you really have to show well in order to secure a position on a team with many local players wanting your spot. I had to go through many days of hardship trying to fit in and show the coaches and gaffer (another name for manager) that I belonged. I was fortunate enough to do just that at age 18 when I tried out for Port Vale FC and got my first professional contract for 2 years.
- Simple- if it is a dream to play at the highest levels then do everything you can to make it happen. Giving up stuff you want to do so you can work on getting to the professional level is imperative. I had to miss many high school dances, nights at friends house or just even hanging with buddies as I was constantly training to reach my goal. It is a tough route but we’ll worth it when you finally make it:) My dad has a saying try, try, try and once you think you have it, try again! In 1990 I tried out for the U16 a Canadian National team and we had 4 stages of evaluations throughout a 18 month span. I was cut 2 times and it made me more committed to make the final 2 stages which included trying to qualify for the U16 World Cup. I said to myself “if these coaches think they have seen the last of me they are sorely mistaken” well I made the last two stages and was on the team that went to the qualification tournament in Trinidad and Tobago. We didn’t qualify 😀.
- Again simple- because I showed that I was good as a kid it progressed into me really enjoying the sport and wanting more form it. Sport is in my blood
- I wish I could have played longer at the higher levels. Something about competition is very addictive and I may have Troyes to stay over in England longer instead of coming back to play for the Vancouver 86ers/ Whitecaps.
- Hmmmm…. Great question! Probably stay the course and keep working at my craft. You can’t take a day off when you are a professional athlete as someone is always looking to take your spot. So maybe just work harder than anyone else.
Now I know what I have to do to get where I have to go just as Mr. Heald did himself for soccer.
I know what is out there for me to experience for soccer if I ever want to become a professional soccer player or do anything else with soccer when I’m older.
Thank you very much Mr. Heald for your time and it was a pleasure to interview you.
