Player Spotlight: Niara’s Journey of Growth and Determination
In the competitive world of youth soccer, standout players often rise through their dedication, skill, and passion for the game. This month, Eastshore Alliance FC proudly features Niara, a standout player from the 2012G Navy team. Recognized by EAFC coaches as an ID player, Niara has been given unique opportunities to challenge herself and grow in different environments. For the past month, she has been training with the 2012B Navy team under Coach Mason, in addition to her regular training with the 2012G Navy team and Coach Sam.
Growing up in Berkeley, California, Niara’s soccer journey began five years ago, but her love for the game started at a much younger age, playing with her dad. "Playing soccer is a great stress reliever for me," Niara shares. "Just getting on the field and playing makes everything better." Her admiration for professional players like Sophia Smith, known for her confidence and dribbling skills, and Lionel Messi, whose stature and skill she resonates with, fuels her dreams of playing professionally. She hopes to one day represent the Portland Thorns, like her idol Sophia Smith, and harbors ambitions of playing for either the USWNT or Argentina, a country she passionately supports and where she has family roots.
“It’s definitely more challenging, but it has improved my physicality and I really enjoyed it.”
Training with the boys’ team was a significant step for Niara. “At first, I was a bit nervous, but it’s a really welcoming environment,” she recalls. “The coach is nice, the players are nice, and after a few practices, I got really into it and had a lot of fun. It’s definitely more challenging, but it has definitely improved my physicality, and I really enjoyed it.”
Niara’s determination to overcome her initial anxiety of playing with boys showcases her resilience. "I think just playing with boys tends to make me a bit anxious, but I wanted to overcome that fear. It was worth the challenge and effort, and I’ve grown from the experience," she reflects. "Coach Mason taught me to play quicker. The boys’ team plays at a much faster pace, so I had to make quick decisions and just play quicker."
Last weekend, Niara had the opportunity to compete with the 2012B Navy team at a tournament, where they made it to the final. "The tournament was really fun," she says with excitement. "It’s a great learning experience, and I look forward to continuing to train and play with the boys. I knew that if I didn’t do it, I would really regret it. So I decided I was going to say yes, go into it, and do it."
GIRL POWER!
Niara leaving the boys in her dust.
Coach Mason has been impressed with Niara’s performance and attitude. "Niara was tenacious defensively, sometimes matching up and challenging players almost twice her size. She didn’t back down," he praises. "She was skillful on the ball and often helped us in our attack by making penetrating passes and drives with the ball. I’m really impressed and excited to have her join us more frequently."
Director of Coaching Niall Irwin also expressed his enthusiasm for the ID player program and Niara’s progress. “We are very excited to launch our ID player program, which targets bright talents in the club and provides opportunities for them to get exposed to different levels of play in order to support their development. Niara is a fantastic prospect, and it was great to see her involved this past weekend with the 2012 Boys Navy team. We look forward to supporting her and other players' growth this upcoming season.”
Niara is eager to bring back what she has learned from playing with the boys to her own 2012G Navy team. "I’m going to bring back the speed of play and physicality to my team. And communicating - there was a lot of talking on the field all the time," she notes.
Niara’s journey is a testament to the growth and opportunities available at Eastshore Alliance FC. Her story inspires all young players to embrace challenges, step out of their comfort zones, and pursue their dreams with passion and determination.