SPEAKER_00 0:02

Welcome to another discussion from the park bench where an artist and an athlete explore a new topic and hope to inspire the community's arts and sports because we know they matter and play a huge role in shaping our youth and our community. So get comfortable and join us on the park bench. Good morning, Kamala.

SPEAKER_03 0:21

Good morning, Ted.

SPEAKER_00 0:23

How are you doing?

SPEAKER_03 0:24

Good, good. Everything is great.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Excellent. We're good. We're done. So actually, I was I'm gonna ask you, well, what did you do this past weekend? Because I I have something that I that I watched that was kind of cool.

SPEAKER_03 0:35

Uh this past weekend I I did well it's it's kind of the fall, like the fall. So I I went to a farmer's market and then I actually did a bit of work and then I went hiking in in Gatineau Park because it was uh it was gorgeous.

SPEAKER_00 0:49

And the colors are changing, right?

SPEAKER_03 0:50

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's it's funny how some some trees go super vibrant. Like like if you look out, because it uh it was a view that you could see the valley. So if you look out over, it's mostly green still. You get a couple, and then second color that comes in would be orange and just some red. But it's funny how it changes quickly. Yeah. You know, like in one week you go back and that same view would be totally different.

SPEAKER_00 1:14

The giant tree in my front yard has like a streak of red down the middle. So it is funny. But uh that's cool. Yeah, super cool. Gatneau Park is a beautiful place to my gosh, it's insane.

SPEAKER_03 1:24

And you?

SPEAKER_00 1:25

I did not go to Gatineau Park. Um no, I was just mostly around the house. But uh the one thing I wanted to mention, I I noticed um I I saw on YouTube the results of the women's rugby um world championships. Oh okay. And I'm not a huge rugby person. Uh actually I learned more about the rules watching it, but which is kind of silly to say. But but the they were playing against New Zealand, which is sort of the superpower uh for rugby, even on the women's side. And they are the defending champs. And they played them in the semis and they beat them, which was amazing. It was just so amazing to watch these women. Um it's just such a tough game, but uh the Canadian pride was was uh significant for me. But but just you know, we're gonna be obviously talking about uh women's sports. Females and sports, yeah. Females in sports, but wow, what they were great ambassadors for Canada. And they're their the finals haven't happened yet, but they're meeting England in the final. But but if you haven't, obviously if you didn't watch the game, I would recommend going to YouTube. It might be 15 minutes, it's a great summary.

SPEAKER_03 2:27

Okay, I'm gonna check that out for sure. I let I love that.

SPEAKER_00 2:31

Okay, well, we'd like to welcome to the podcast today uh Daniel Byers. She is with Kitchener Soccer Club. Uh Daniel, your title is is it director of marketing?

SPEAKER_02 2:42

What is the the correct title for the Oh, so my title is actually the engagement manager.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

You know what? That sounds it doesn't roll off the tongue as well, but it means more.

SPEAKER_03 2:52

I get that. I love that.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Yeah.

unknown 2:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:54

Camel is more uh uh you know arts, so that that speaks to her. But uh Well well, welcome. It's it's great to have you on the podcast and uh uh looking forward to chatting with you today.

SPEAKER_03 3:04

So if you So wait, I want to say so wonderful to have you on, and I wish you were in studio. I I I I do want to meet you in person because I love your energy that that I just get and and hopefully one day we'll meet for sure. So I'm I'm so grateful that you're here.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Well you know it's so kind, thank you. I don't know I appreciate you saying that. I would love to meet in person as well. That's very kind. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:23

I'm really about to jumping in when I shouldn't, so I apologize for that. That's why I'm here. That's the same thing. That was a beautiful moment, and I just jumped in and thought I'm gonna speak now.

SPEAKER_03 3:30

It's uh that's why I'm here.

SPEAKER_00 3:32

Well, I I first met Danielle when I was I was with Guelph Soccer for a number of years, and Danielle is was with Kitchener Soccer at the time too. And it was just one of those uh we were at a seminar together, I think, at the same table. So we go back a few years. So uh great to chat with Danielle, and she's been a force at that club. I mean, we I think if people listen to podcasts, they know that we work in the minor sports space and and Danielle is one of the stars that we work with, like really easy to work with, really loves the club, you know, loves the community, which is really important when you're in that space. Uh so yeah, really great to have you on. So um why don't you maybe start by telling us uh a little bit about Kitchener uh Soccer Club and uh your role within that club today.

SPEAKER_02 4:13

Yeah, for sure. So uh we're one of the largest clubs in our region, uh the Waterloo Region, and I think the primary focus that we have is just creating opportunities for kids and families to play soccer, uh, stay active, be connected and supported through sport. Uh we offer programs for all age levels, uh and from grassroots, like recreational, all the way through to competitive play. We offer all ability soccer. Um, and we just really put a big emphasis on belonging and inclusivity.

SPEAKER_00 4:47

It does come through, Daniel. I mean, I mentioned it, but it's you know what you do in the community really makes a difference. I I think I think that they recognize that because it it it just shines through. I mean, it's there's so much going on at the club level. I'm sure you have a thousand hats to wear, but but the your commitment to community definitely shines through. It's uh it's it's um honorable for sure.

SPEAKER_03 5:08

Well that that's why I I really connected with uh with Danielle, even if it's via emails, uh is because that um because uh what resonates for me there is is the authenticity and and the genuineness of it all and the inclusivity, and that's something that that I uh kind of have throughout my life. It's it's profession in my professional life, in my personal life. I want everyone to feel safe and included and I'm mindful of everyone's feelings and and person and and just being being that wonderful human. And it really does come out in in the club, and and that's why uh you know I I I really have a connection with that and you and the club.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

I love to hear you say that. It's it's definitely been a big focus for us, and to know that that comes across even virtually is is really rewarding to hear. So I do appreciate you saying that.

SPEAKER_03 6:00

Yeah. And I'll I'll say, um, it's so funny, words are so important. And from um a marketing communications perspective, every word you use in an ad, you only have a selective amount of words. So when you use them, use them wisely. And you really want to get to the point in in a very concise way. And like sometimes you just gotta take away all the fluff and just get to at the heart of it. So there was uh an email that you wrote. So so when people write emails, I'm very mindful of the words I use and I'm very mindful of when I read another person's email because words can come across so differently. And there was an email that you wrote regarding a sponsor coming to um to watch uh a game. And and you were you were made sure to let me know, you know, just just I just wanted to let you know that if if they're gonna be bringing hot chocolate or whatever, that it's really best that they have everybody for all the players because you don't just want to give one team something and then have the team just standing there, you know, not having anything. So we really want to be mindful. And sometimes there could be like five fields of people playing, but but it's it's either all or nothing. And and that right there was like, of course, yes. Like, and I just love that.

SPEAKER_00 7:07

You know, I want to add I'm sorry, go ahead, Deb. Please go ahead.

SPEAKER_02 7:10

No, no, I was just gonna say um that definitely is something that we're mindful of. And we we love our sponsors and we appreciate that they might be sponsoring one team, but uh it would break your heart to see a seven-year-old, you know, on the sideline looking across, seeing that the team they just played is is getting, you know, a popsicle or a hot chocolate or something, and they're just kind of standing there a little bit despondent, looking across, wondering, like, why don't I get that? Like I play just as hard and yeah, I love soccer, like why not me? And and so it's been great to see our sponsors really respond to that and step up to the plate and say, absolutely, like we appreciate like your mission and where you're coming from, and and we're gonna do that for everybody.

SPEAKER_00 7:50

No, that's and one of the things that everybody needs to know by Danielle is she's from the United States of America. So every so often she says to me, That's my American coming out, right?

SPEAKER_02 8:01

If she's No way, where were you born? I was born um about an hour outside of Detroit in Michigan.

SPEAKER_03 8:08

Oh, that's so cool. And and how old were you when you came to Canada? Oh, goodness. Um, I want to say 31.

SPEAKER_02 8:16

Okay. So so like three or four years ago.

SPEAKER_00 8:19

That's amazing.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

Uh yeah, yeah, absolutely. No, I've been here a while. I should say I actually just got my Canadian citizenship just the other day. Oh, congratulations. Official dual citizen now.

SPEAKER_00 8:31

So insert uh applause here, Matt, if you can. Yeah, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_03 8:36

Congratulations.

SPEAKER_00 8:37

But I wanted to say with the American thing was Danielle is a wonderful person I work with. But when she advocates for something, there is a solid line, right? So when and and I think that's what you were getting at with the you know uh treats to the field, Danielle's not shy to say it's gotta be for everybody. And I and I think it's that advocacy for your club that really shines through. It's not you're not aggressive about it, but it's that that's why I think about that little American coming up and saying, that sounds nice, but everybody needs to have one. So I love that.

SPEAKER_03 9:05

Aaron Ross Powell Yeah. Well, because sometimes they say the Canadians are are like too polite that we don't stand up. And and and maybe that's the Americans being like quote unquote like arrogant, that they do stand up too much. So maybe you know what I mean? So that's like that. Trevor Burrus, Jr.

SPEAKER_00 9:18

It doesn't come across as arrogant, it's just standing up for the club.

SPEAKER_03 9:20

No, I I know, but it's it's not a it can be perceived as an arrogance, but it's a confidence to say, hey, right, or or like even standing up for for your morals and your values, and like this isn't right. It's just that stand up with confidence. Exactly. Exactly. I love that.

SPEAKER_02 9:34

I appreciate it. I'm I'm happy I found a happy balance.

SPEAKER_03 9:37

Yes, yes, you have. So uh I'm I'm actually so if uh if if there was uh we're we'll ask later, but in the foyer of life, like I definitely would choose the artist door. Like I am an artist through and through. I I haven't really uh well I I haven't played sports, played, played a sports. See, there you go. I can't I can't even say it. But um I am actually starting uh my journey of becoming a soccer coach. Oh, congratulations. Thank you, thank you. I'm very excited and nervous, but it it aligns with um me and and kind of who I am because I have a path of female empowerment. And if anybody you know knows me and knows my career and and my journey and and my story, it's it it it that is weaved into it. And the reason that I've went of um I've embarked on this journey is because I discovered the lack of female presence in soccer specifically, but I I think it's sports overall, but for me it was soccer regarding both the coaches and the players. And I'll just, you know, some statistics that I I found out about this on a field when when the girls were excited that a female referee was there, and I and I got curious, so I kind of delved deeper. And one in three girls who participated in a sport drop out at late adolescence rather than boys, who uh it's like one in ten. So there's as as they get older, there's more boys in the sports space than there is girls. And a lot of it is due to um lack of confidence. So so so they did uh a report on this, like um a survey. Did some research and the report found that it was due to a lack of confidence, body image, lack of skill. So confidence not only in physical, but also in in that physical appearance, but the skill and then also not belonging, that was also in there as well. And same with coaches. Three out of ten coaches uh were women. So so this was like, this isn't right. Sometimes I see something and I'm like, I want to make a change, you know, and and and I want to see how how we can change this. Does that resonate with you and anything that you've seen or witnessed at the club?

SPEAKER_02 11:48

Yeah, absolutely. And I think unfortunately, those numbers aren't surprising based on what we do see in the club. Um, we definitely face challenges to keep our female athletes. Um, I think that's why we've started to make intentional efforts and uh like create programming specific for female athletes. We just launched a new program called Game Changers as Fall. It incorporates eight weeks of soccer-specific on-field training with uh five workshops built into there throughout the eight weeks. And that kind of focuses on facilitating building confidence for these athletes, how to take that confidence from the field to your everyday life, uh, making connections with the other athletes that are there, forming those bonds and friendships, and just uh, you know, some fun things added in there as well, just so that they can be in a social setting together.

SPEAKER_00 12:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:39

Just hoping that that keeps them engaged in the programming and they want to come back.

SPEAKER_00 12:44

Is that female focused or is it all athletes?

SPEAKER_02 12:47

It's female focused. So it's it's girls-only uh game changers program. Uh, what we were finding is we run a development training program and kind of like what we would call the shoulder seasons when we're not doing outdoor play and we're not quite to the indoor play. We have a two-month period where we can do some development training. And um, girls would come for like the first week, maybe the second week, because it's co-ed. And then they would just stop coming. And they did not want to do the training with the boys for a multitude of reasons. So we thought, hey, like let's get them just, you know, on their own. All girls just try to get female instructors, let's put some workshops in there to make it more than just the soccer training, because we do want to enact change uh in the in the game itself, but also within these these girls and and try to support them the best way we can to keep them involved.

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Well, you shared that wonderful video with Kamala and I, the uh Visa campaign uh about female empowerment, which really really resonated with us. Uh and if you haven't seen it, we we should drop it into the show notes. It's pretty cool. Uh and you had one of the girls, I believe it was Abby at your club. Um Yeah, Abby. How did she how did she get involved? How did she get a chance to be a part of that?

SPEAKER_02 14:02

So it was just a call out to us by uh Canada Soccer looking for athletes in our area that might be interested in participating in the campaign. And her family sent in a short video and a little application, and she was selected as one of the athletes to participate. Yeah. Um, so she got to go down to Toronto and and take part. And it was a really cool experience for her and and all the girls that were involved.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

So I'm like watching the video, and everybody has to watch it. It's it's really, really cool. How did she uh because they show a version of her when she's older, did you get a chance to chat with her? Like, did that really connect with her and kind of add to her belief in herself?

SPEAKER_02 14:36

Yeah, I did have a chance to speak to her afterwards, and she said it really did that um, you know, that it's something that maybe she dreams about. I think her goal was to captain Team Canada one day. And she would say, you know, I would dream about it and I I would wish for it. But when I actually saw an AI-generated image of myself up there in the uniform in a stadium, and it looked like me, and essentially because it was me, uh I was like, I could do that. Like, yeah, I got that. So I thought that was pretty cool for her.

unknown 15:06

Yeah, amazing.

SPEAKER_03 15:07

I I I I love that. And I just want to go back to the program that you have and and and the reason that you started it is uh the belief, right? So it's it's it's the belief in yourself and the confidence in yourself. And and although and you know, it's female only, so one could look at it and say it's not um inclusive, but some but that's not to say that you can't still be inclusive, but then just have a group of females together just to talk about the struggles that they have, or not even struggles, the feelings and and the emotions that they have together. Because I think having them in that group and giving them that safe space to be able to all share what they're going through, I think that is what truly will help them and the foundation to keep them in the sport longer.

SPEAKER_02 15:59

Yeah, I hope so. I think one of the coolest things that we saw, because we have a pretty wide age range of athletes from seven to 16, is that the older athletes naturally just kind of took the younger ones underneath under their wings, um, kind of, you know, gave them a little bit of confidence that, you know, you don't have to be nervous, like it's gonna be okay. And they're not on the field together. Uh, those age groups are separated on the field for training, but they do all the workshops together. So when they all come in and the little seven, eight, nine-year-olds are kind of looking up at these 15, 16-year-olds with wide eyes and not really sure what to what to expect. And these older athletes kind of just, you know, reach out their hand and, like, hey, come sit here, like it, you know, it's gonna be fine, like, and like just draw them in. That was really cool to see. And it it kind of proves the point as to why this is important. Yeah. Um, the confidence that those younger athletes gain just from that alone is is immeasurable.

SPEAKER_00 16:54

And I assume that wasn't planned, it just happened naturally. Organically.

SPEAKER_02 16:58

Yeah, it really it was. It was something we didn't necessarily plan for. It just it just happened and we observed it, and it we were like, wow, this is amazing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:07

Well, see, and and that kind of goes back in the lack of not just the players, but the lack of female coaches. So having that coach having and that just shows you the girl seeing a female presence as a mentor, as a coach, still in the program at an at an older age, that's like, hey, I can do that too. I want to be that too, you know, and and having them in that role and and having them, those female mentors and coaches in there, I think is is also what really helps keep them in the sport.

SPEAKER_02 17:38

Yeah, I don't think you could be any more right. And I love that your personal journey is taking you um kind of down that path as well. Um, our club has, in addition to our game changers program, we put a pretty big emphasis on increasing the visibility of female coaches. Uh, just to so to your point, girls can see someone like them on the sidelines. And we participated in a program that Canada Soccer runs and it's supported by TELUS. It's called She Can Coach. And the program is really designed to empower women in their coaching journey, um, giving them tools and resources and access to coaching certifications at no charge. And what they asked the clubs to do is provide a support network. So our first cohort was 10 coaches that we recruited. We recruited about seven mentors to come in and do social activities that we planned with these coaches alongside their coaching journey and really try to talk to them about what's happening, ask them if they had any questions. What did they need for support from us to complete their coaching journey so that they would have more confidence to continue coaching as kids get older? Because I do find that as the kids get older, a lot of the coaches think like, I'm not qualified, I'm not a good enough soccer player to stick with this, and they start to drop out. We want them to know like you can keep going. We're here to support you. Other coaches can help you out as well. And um, I'm so happy to say that out of our first cohort, we now have coaches that are active in every stream of the club from our competitive play to recreational to our development training. Um, and they're just thriving. And it's it's been amazing to see. And we can't wait to do it again.

SPEAKER_00 19:19

That's very cool. And these are people of all ages, not just um teens turning into coaches. It's moms and teens.

SPEAKER_02 19:26

Yeah, no. I mean, we had we have college students, we had we had, you know, moms, we had people without kids that just wanted to give back and get involved in coaching, and it was just people from kind of all walks of life, and we all came together and you know had a lot of fun. Not gonna lie, we had a lot of fun doing it, and and I think uh yeah, we're we're just super excited to do it again.

SPEAKER_00 19:49

That's amazing. Good. Um one thing I we we've skipped, and I know we're we're well, we're good on time right now, but we didn't ask you was uh your journey in sport. Like you when when you were younger, what was your path to sports? Because obviously, I mean I know you a bit, so I know you're very much into sports, but maybe tell us a bit about how you got into the sport space and what got you to where you are now.

SPEAKER_02 20:11

Yeah, for sure. So I started pretty young. Um my parents weren't necessarily athletes themselves, but um my best friend growing up, her dad, was uh really into baseball. So I started out very young playing softball, and that's kind of where my love of sport grew from. I think at about six years old, I started playing. And um, you know, growing up, I I played pretty much every sport there was, I think. Um I my first love, I think growing up was basketball, and um that kind of took me to university and from there I discovered uh rugby. So I played a bit of rugby in university. I grew up on a lake, uh, so I always skated. And then, you know, when the knees got too sore to to pound up and down the court anymore, I moved over to hockey.

SPEAKER_03 20:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 20:59

So I've kind of I've kind of touched most of the sports there. And um, you know, I love watching them. I can't play them anymore. Body's a little bit too broken and old for that, but I'm a huge sports fan. And um, I think I appreciate now that I'm older, the lessons and and what it provided me as a person. Yeah. Um, and I just want that for every child out there, that opportunity to to grow through the lessons of sport. And you guys spoke about my my quiet confidence, I guess. And I can 100% say that I got that from playing sports as a as a kid, just growing up. And yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:35

Yeah, no, that's it's good to see that. I mean, it's it's that you it's hard to get a job in sports, so it's not specifically that, but nice to know that you know, sports has sort of paid off for you in terms of you know, not just enjoyment, but you know, life skills, and uh that's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_03 21:50

And and it's great that, well, like both you and Ted uh have have uh a relationship with sports at a young age, and and it's it's given you so much. And I'm excited to start my relationship this late in life, but I think you know, who cares about the age? And and I'm excited to to have a relationship with it because I I never had.

SPEAKER_00 22:09

But it's a story that can be used, like the never too late, right? Because the I mean Danielle knows firsthand how difficult it is to get coaches to fill, which is what you just just talked about. So if we can somehow tap into the 30 somethings, yeah, of course. Then then uh yeah, it's uh yeah, it'd be great.

SPEAKER_02 22:27

So yeah, yeah, go ahead. I think one of the I was saying, I think one of the greatest things about sports is that it is inclusive by nature. Um so I think no matter where you're coming from, it's never too late to start, whether it be, you know, picking up walking soccer, which which our club also has for the 55 plus club. If you just want to come in and do some walking soccer and and be social and meet friends that way, if you want to get into coaching because you want to give back, like all you really need is is a positive attitude and and a want to do it. And I think people are gonna be there willing to reach out a hand and help you along your way. And it's it really is great at bringing people together.

unknown 23:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 23:05

Thank you for that. That actually makes me feel better because Alan was earlier on. And what did he say when I said I was gonna be a coach?

SPEAKER_00 23:12

He's like Oh, they're gonna eat you alive.

SPEAKER_03 23:14

Yeah, well, that was my daughter, but he said Yeah, but he said something like it's it's a it's an uphill b battle or something like that. And and and then I was like, I I know I'm nervous, but then you saying that, I I appreciate because now I I feel I feel good about it. And and that's what it is. I'm doing it just because I want to give back and I have a good attitude, and and I just have that can do, and I just I just want it.

SPEAKER_02 23:38

I think the kids have an innate ability to see right through us, right? So if they can tell that you want to be there and that you're excited to be there for them, like you're gonna be fine.

SPEAKER_03 23:48

Thank you. That's good advice. That is good advice. That is so true. Oh, that's so helpful. I appreciate that.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

So, Danielle, one of the questions we ask everybody is uh, because we talked uh as from an artist perspective and an athlete perspective, I can hear the athlete in you, but is there any artists in your life? Are you do you see yourself as artistic in any way?

SPEAKER_02 24:10

You know what? I'd say that I have the mentality of an athlete who's attempting to be an artist currently. Oh, you know, I I kind of view my work about like the work that I do, I think is about creating experiences. And sometimes you have to look at that through an artistic lens. Either, you know, it could be like creating content um and just trying to tell the story of our club and and what we're trying to do. I think of that as potentially being more artistic. Um, but I definitely think that there's an athlete's mindset that goes into that in showing what I do. Like, you know, the teamwork, the persistence, the resilience, all those values carry over. But um, I'm attempting to be more artistic.

SPEAKER_03 24:54

You are 100% right. There is creating, like I I know you're kind of in, I know that your title is engagement manager, but there is that marketing aspect because it comes with marketing, storytelling, PR, like it's just telling a story. Storytellers' authors are artists, right? I mean, that is an art. And I think that your creativity and coming up with these different programs and and looking at a way of telling a story, that is definitely creative, and that is definitely in in the artistic space, 100%.

SPEAKER_02 25:27

Thank you for saying that. I'm gonna keep trying to go down that path and see where I go.

SPEAKER_03 25:31

Yes, well, well, I can help you with that. I'll if if you want, if you want to lean into that creative side, I am here to help you with those skills because that's that's an avenue that I just listen. We I'll I'll help you out with the soccer skills and that's it will be quite the partnership. That's exactly it. Just like so Ted and I joke because we're chocolate peanut butter, but now I Ted, I'm sorry, I have another chocolate. And and now Danielle and I are chocolate peanut butter. There we go. Yeah, that's awesome. So um yeah, so Ted's question was if there's any other artistic endeavors that you're on now, like anything actually like paint paint painting or any anything artistic in your space.

SPEAKER_02 26:14

Oh goodness. I wish I had time for more of it. I think the most artistic I actually get hands on would be when I take my son to, you know, we paint some pottery and stuff like that. Yeah, he's uh it's hard like with the kid that's about six, seven years old, right? Like you're always on the go doing things, but we do like to use that as kind of some downtime, um, just to you know connect and kind of sit together and talk about things and and get our hands on some stuff that we're doing. So we do enjoy doing that. Arts a connector. Does he play any sports? He does. He um he loves hockey. Okay, he loves, he loves swimming, kind of struck out on the soccer, but that's okay.

SPEAKER_03 26:54

That's okay.

SPEAKER_02 26:55

That's totally fine. Uh, but yeah, he's always open to try new things. He played lacrosse at school the other day. So he came home and said, Oh, you know, maybe I want to try lacrosse. So we were looking up, you know, lacrosse clubs in our area to see if that was an option. But he's uh very go, go, go, loves to be active. So I think he'll probably kind of follow in my footsteps of trying everything and and kind of before he you know settles on one or two things that he really loves.

SPEAKER_03 27:19

Of course. I mean, parenting is leading by example. I I I know my like my parents' generation would be like, do as I say, not as I do. But it's all about lead by example, do as I do. The way to really be a good parent is to just be a great person and and your little one will model whatever you're doing.

SPEAKER_02 27:42

So I can yeah, I can agree with that more. I think that's uh even like for leadership style, I would say like that's totally my leadership style as well. And I think if you're true to yourself and true to your values, and um that'll that'll attract people to to you and and set a great example. So I think you're spot on there for parenting as well.

SPEAKER_03 28:02

Yeah, 100%. See, I knew that we connected everything. We're just like so on the same page. Yeah. Well, is there I I I know you mentioned uh the game changer program that you have, but is there anything else that you want to mention where the uh where the club is headed or anything coming down the pike that you wanna that you want to let everybody know?

SPEAKER_02 28:20

You know, I think we're moving into a new building for 2026, which is very exciting for us. We're currently a little bit um hands tied behind our back when it comes to indoor field space. So we are opening up a new FIFA size indoor pitch. And in doing so, we're gonna be able to expand a lot of our programming and give even more kids the chance to play and be even more inclusive. Um, you know, we have wait lists of, I think this indoor season, about 800 kids. And with the World Cup coming in 2026 as well, uh, we're really hoping that we can see a big boom in kids playing soccer in our city. And it's, you know, we also want to expand our all abilities program uh and give them some time in there as well, uh, because they're currently only playing outside, but we would love to see them inside in a year-round program too. So, you know, it really 2026, like our big, our big thing is is grow the game and invite invite everyone in. So that's where we're hoping to go.

SPEAKER_03 29:17

I love that. Uh I'm so excited for the new building. When do you actually when will it be open for everyone to be able to use ish?

SPEAKER_02 29:24

Oh gosh, we're hoping, we're hoping the summer of the size.

SPEAKER_03 29:29

Okay, so exciting. I love that. So well, uh thank you so much, Danielle, for for being on. It was it was such a pleasure to have you. And I I guarantee you that someone uh that uh everyone who listens to this will be inspired, and hopefully that we've inspired some female athletes, but just athletes in general, to to just kind of do what you do, stick to your stick to your kind of your guns and your values and just be true to who you are and and and Keep playing.

SPEAKER_02 30:02

Thank you for having me. It was great chatting with you guys.

SPEAKER_03 30:05

Um, Matt, is there anything that you wanted to add from from anything that Danielle had to share?

SPEAKER_01 30:09

Uh sure, yeah. Um the the sports that I'm involved in is like mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding, kind of that world. And um when when I was a teenager, like all of our inspiration and stuff like like those sports don't tend didn't tend to be on TV much. So all of our inspiration came from magazines and tapes that we'd buy from the skate shop, stuff like that. And at that time like there was no women in any of those, like the magazines and and because of that, when you'd go to the skate park or the hill, you wouldn't see a lot of women. But today, when I go to the bike park, it's like it's almost 50-50 now. Like you see a lot more women and girls, and I think social media has been a big reason for that, where girls can see you know another girl doing these sports and and seeing how it's possible and stuff like that. And and so yeah, I think it's great that that these sports are becoming available to more and more people.

SPEAKER_02 31:12

Yeah, I love that you said that you see it at about a 50-50 ratio now. And I couldn't agree more with you that social media has been a game changer for women's sports. I think if you look at um, you know, the NIL valuations of athletes now, uh, it's more of an American type of thing, I guess. But um, a lot of the leaders are are female athletes because they just do a better job on social media telling stories and being themselves and putting themselves out there. And it's really helped grow the game. Um, I think for women's basketball, women's soccer, and a lot, you know, women's tennis, even um across the board. And I I I would assume that the same would would be for uh the sports that you're referencing as well, like mountain biking, skateboarding, surfing, even probably those sorts of things. And I do think that social media does have its downfalls, but it's also can be a very powerful tool for change.

SPEAKER_03 32:05

It it is. At the end of the day, you know, like being in the marketing space for as long as I have, I've seen it evolve and social media has come in. But at the end of the day, it is another referral and it's just another storytelling outlet, like you would have with anything else. Like, and and I believe that when they're authentic and you have people posting about their stories and sharing their vulnerabilities, their triumphs, their failures, their everything that has that that has to do with their story of where they're of their journey, I think that truly inspires. And you're right, like social media does have its downfalls, and there are some things that aren't great about it. But if you can get the word out from a positive perspective, we just have to lean into the positive. Yeah. Just gravitate to the positive rather than the negative and just just like remove, like, not remove the negative because it's there and you're honoring it and you know it's there, but just don't give it your attention. Focus the attention and put all your energy towards the positive, and we can actually uplift social media.

SPEAKER_02 33:06

Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 33:07

I love that message. Thank you. It was so great having you on. I I can't wait to meet you in person. And Ted and Ted's saying the same thing. But Ted, you're out of this. Actually, I muted it on purpose so that it's like me and Danielle's talking here. It's all but thank you so much. Uh, it was a wonderful episode, and I appreciate everything that you have to share, and I appreciate everything that you have to give to to your club and and just to female um athletes in general. So thank you so much.

SPEAKER_02 33:33

Oh, thanks for saying that. It was good to talk to you guys. So I'll talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_03 33:36

Yes, thank you. Thank you, and thank you everyone for listening. And um head to from theparkbench.ca, leave us a message, let us know any of your stories, your journey in sports, in arts. We'd love to hear from you. And as always, thank you, Ted, and thank you, Matt, and thank you, everyone, for listening and chat soon from the park bench.