VANCOUVER – The 23-woman Canada roster announced Monday for this summer’s Women’s World Cup is more than a collection of soccer players. It is an eclectic group with many strings to its bow.
Here’s a look at some of the women’s off-the-field talents.
Erin McLeod, artist and entrepreneur
A renaissance goalkeeper, McLeod is a talented artist whose first solo show, titled “Limitless,” in Toronto was a hit in the fall of 2013. “I’ve always drawn. It’s always been kind of my release. I’m a total overthinker, to a fault.” She currently has 13 commissioned pieces on deck. McLeod says her strength is “pencil sketching and attention to detail” but often mixes the pencil work with acrylics to add colour. The Alberta native, who has a home in North Vancouver, also is an investor in and brand ambassador for Peau de Loup, a clothing line founded by Vancouverites Adelle Renaud and Beccy Anderson. The company has a date on the “Dragons’ Den” TV show and is slated to create travel suits for the World Cup team.
For more information, see www.erinmcleod.net and www.peaudeloup.com
Desiree Scott, Zumba instructor
The tenacious five-foot-two Winnipeg midfielder, known as The Destroyer, loves to dance and took a course in 2014 to get certified. Zumba uses a mix of salsa, reggaeton, Merengue and other music. “It’s just about really feeling the music and it actually is a workout … it’s a fun way to get some exercise in.”
For more information, follow @MsDScott11 on Twitter
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Lauren Sesselmann, fitness DVD guru
The American-born defender, who qualifies to play for Canada through her father who was born in Stephenville, N.L, has her own successful fitness program called “Fit As a Pro,” which focuses on quick, high-intensity on-the-go workouts. “I absolutely love it. Fitness is a part of our life so it’s something that really interests me. It’s something that really interests me and if I can help other people get to that level, that’s definitely my dream.”
For more information, see http://fitasapro.com
Melissa Tancredi, chiropractor
The veteran striker, who has three degrees, started her chiropractic studies in 2006 and graduated last year, after essentially taking 2013 and 2014 off from soccer to focus on her studies. She started in pre-med at Notre Dame but became interested in becoming a chiropractor, recommended by the football team, after seeing one for back problems. “He treated me and he started giving me books and stuff to read and I really fell in love with it.” The native of Ancaster, Ont., graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in suburban St. Louis.
Follow @MelTancredi14 on Twitter
Emily Zurrer and Selenia Iacchelli, food truck co-owners
The two friends and teammates, along with Iacchelli’s sister, own a Vancouver food truck called Sweet Ride FroYo n’ Waffles, which hit the road in the summer of 2013. The business is currently on the backburner because of their soccer demands. The big seller? That’s easy, says Zurrer, a defender from Crofton, B.C.. It’s the “Sweet Monkey,” which is a Liege waffle with frozen yogurt, peanut butter, Nutella, banana and (optional) Skor pieces. “Don’t tell Cesar about that one,” joked Zurrer, referring to Cesar Meylan, the sport scientist tasked with ensuring the women are in peak physical condition.
Follow @SweetRideFroYo on Twitter
Also check out midfielder Sophie Schmidt’s video talents at www.sophieschmidt.ca and @sophieschmidt13 on Twitter.
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Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter.
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