Running head: WOMEN’S SOCCER 1

Conventional Sporting Culture of Women's Soccer

Julianna Bosa, Madison Oser, Mina Michael and Nicholas Johnston

Douglas College

Course: SPSC 2205 (section 002)

Instructor: Dr. Robert J. Lake

November 12th, 2019

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Introduction

Soccer is a conventional sport in many aspects; almost 2000 years ago, the sport began by

kicking around an animal hide ball, then evolved into an internationally known sport that both

men and women compete in the Olympics for. Conventional sports are defined to be those that

are widely accessible and well known across the globe. Conventional sports are also those that

are open for everyone to play and spectate, for all genders, and many cultures who can

participate in the activity. Additionally, there are about four billion fans in the soccer industry,

including those who play and those who spectate, which accounts for over half of the world’s

population (Sawe, 2018). Sawe (2018) further reported that in Canada alone there are up to

85,000 girls who participate in youth soccer, which makes up 41% of the youth in the country,

excluding boys. According to the Canada youth sports report (2014), 767,000 children from ages

3-17 play organized soccer in Canada. Due to the many positive factors of soccer, such as

accessibility, low equipment costs and health benefits, it is a sport that is seen within the physical

education curriculum in schools. Looking into the accessibility of the sport from a cost

perspective all you need is a ball, so the only costs that have to be addressed are league fees.

Otherwise you can play for fun for next to nothing. Major League Soccer is a professional men’s

soccer league in North America and displays the cultural diversity of the sport; about 45 percent

of players are white, 25 percent are Latino, 10 percent are black, and 20 percent identified as

other (Hoening, 2014). Evidently, in order for a sport to be considered conventional, it must

compose the two key characteristics of being widely accessible and fits within the norm of

society. Soccer is undoubtedly a major sport in the world that expands out to a great percentage

of the world’s population and is played and spectated by billions of people around the globe, by

those of different cultures, race and gender who all come together.
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Literature Review

In this paper, we will be examining the topics of body image ideals and appropriate

femininity within the soccer culture as well as how risks and injury are perceived between the

culture of high level and lower level women’s soccer. The purpose of examining the body image

ideals within the division one (high level) and division three (low level) soccer teams is relevant

because although past articles discuss the body image ideals within sport culture, they do not

touch upon young female athletes and the appropriate femininity that is presented to compensate

for playing such a masculine sport. Kato and Jevas (2011) showcased how athletes are expected

to look a certain way to uphold the standards for the ideal body image that have been influenced

by media, coaches, and peers. For example, female athletes who compete at the college or

university level are measured and monitored for their body composition and weight by coaches.

This is found to be damaging for young athletes as it encourages the idea of one body type for all

women athletes in the sport, “holding all women to a single body fat [composition]” (Kato and

Jevas, 2011, p.2). This also encourages women to be more body-conscious causing eating

disorders, which can also lead to disorders such as amenorrhea and osteoporosis from the

pressure to look a certain way also known as “the female athlete triad” (Yeager and Agostini,

1993, p.775). Additionally, Duncan and Robinson (2004) discussed the increase of media

coverage in women’s sports and how it has shown to highlight the “white American body ideal”

rather than showcasing all body types in magazines (p.78). It is shown in many cases that

audiences have a negative view of women in sports who look curvier or are more muscular than

the “average” women. Schultz (2005) discussed the sports industry’s negative reaction to Serena

Williams wearing a tight fitted suit that showcased her muscular features, whereas Anne White

who has a slimmer physique wore a similar suit yet was praised for it. Additionally, Harris
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(2005) argues the issues surrounding image problems in soccer. He discussed those female

athletes who are overly masculine on soccer teams are perceived as lesbians, which resulted in

women dropping out of the team due to homohysteria; fear of being thought gay. However,

others who remained on the teams compensated their masculinity by acting girly and wearing

makeup to games and practices to be more feminine, also known as the feminine apologetic. We

investigated the phenomenon of appropriate femininity as well as whether or not female athletes

compensate for the masculinity of the sport through the way they display themselves within the

lower and higher divisions of recreational soccer teams.

This paper further investigated the negative implications of positive deviance ideals and

how society encourages female soccer athletes to overconform to the sport ethic within soccer.

Deviance in soccer is considered to be pushing and excelling through most players comfort zones

of physical and emotional reason. Pushing through the norms of the sport is seen as being a

“leader”, someone who strives to push their own physical and mental ability for the success of

the team (Hughes and Coakley, 1991). Positive deviance in sport can be defined by using

Hughes and Coakley's notion, “deviance among athletes involves excessive onverconformity to

the norms and values embodied in [the] sport itself” (p.307). Although the study of positive

deviance and overconformity of sport ethic has been previously researched, most articles

investigated overconformity of primarily male athletes on a professional level. It seems that

positive deviance in young female soccer athletes and how they overconform to the perceived

sport ethic of soccer, has gone unseen. Due to overconformity in female soccer, athletes most

often result in anterior cruciate ligament [hereinafter ACL] injuries. According to Joseph et al.

(2013), female soccer players have a higher incidence rate with knee injuries and ACL injuries

than males. 53.2% of ACL injuries occur from female soccer players (Joseph et al., 2013).
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Overconformity in sports is widely accepted within our society, and often deemed as the ‘norm’

in competitive sports. The idea of playing through pain is mostly accentuated by the coaches

themselves. Hughes and Coakley (1991) quoted Gifford and Mangel’s notion that coaches

emphasize the need for athletes to “pay the price” and to “play through pain”. Coaches that

repeatedly encourage female soccer athletes to dedicate their bodies to the sport and praise the

ones who play while injured sets a negative mentality into female soccer athletes minds. Abbott

et al. (2019) suggest that one’s mental wellbeing becomes negatively impacted when a female

soccer athlete 23 years or younger are unable to play due to injury. By having the society and the

media encourage the overconformity of a conventional sport such as soccer, female athletes can

potentially hinder their mental and physical health by abiding by the social norms of our society

through neglecting proper recovery due to injuries. Our group investigated the difference

between division one (high level) and division three (low level) women’s soccer teams apart of a

competitive league in the lower mainland and desired to determine if the higher-level team felt

the need to conform to the sport ethic of playing through pain.

Methods

In order to research the conventional sporting culture of soccer, we used a variety of

different qualitative and quantitative research methods. Gratton and Jones (2010) defined

quantitative research as a method focusing on the measurements of the event being studied,

whereas, qualitative is the method that aims to gather non-numerical meanings such as “feelings,

thoughts, [and] experiences (p.30). We employed the triangulation approach throughout our

study in order to ensure the trustworthiness of our findings. This approach involved following a

variety of methods to collect data when examining a study (Gratton & Jones, 2010). Our group

analyzed two different teams within the Metro Women’s Soccer League. A women’s division
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one team (top division in the league) – ages 18-30 – and a women’s division three team (lowest

division in the league)– ages 18-24. We were granted permission from the coaches and players of

both the women’s division 3 and women’s division 1 soccer teams. The two team’s practice on

the same public field at the same time for 90-minute sessions and we attended one practices as

well as two 90-minute games for each team. We used the method of data saturation by

recognizing that we analyzed enough sessions when acquiring no new information in our

observations (Faulkner & Trotter, 2017).

Our first method of research consisted of the qualitative unobtrusive approach of

participant observation. Participant observation is when the researcher actually takes part in the

event being examined (Gratton & Jones, 2010). According to Gratton (2010) unobtrusive

methods such as participant observations, do not hinder or influence the social environment in

which the subjects are under. Madison demonstrated this method by taking part in two games

and one practice with the division three team, as well as one game with the division one team.

Madison was on the field during games and practices and noticed group behaviours through

comments players made on the field and to their teammates as well as recognizing how she tends

to conform to the sport ethic by playing through pain and how she executed behaviours of

habitual body monitoring when she was on the field. Madison brought a logbook with her and

took notes of her experiences and what she witnessed at the end of each session (see Appendix

A).

Our second method of research consisted of the quantitative unobtrusive approach of

non-participant observation. Non-participant observation is a passive technique in which the

researchers will externally observe the subjects of their study with no engagement (Gratton &

Jones, 2010). Julianna, Mina and Nick examined both practices and games together and
WOMEN’S SOCCER 7

spread around the field to ensure all corners were covered. The researchers carried notebooks

with them and logged their observations of habitual body monitoring and players sacrificing their

bodies for the game (see Appendix B).

The third method of research that our group used was informal interviews with a total of

nine interviews amongst the two teams. The researchers created 15 semi-structured questions in

which Julianna, Madison, Mina and Nick went out into the field to ask players on both teams

after a game (see Appendix C). Gratton and Jones (2010) defined semi-structured interviews as a

method that involves a set of questions that are flexible and may be altered as the interview goes

on. Before the interviews, we pre-empted the interviewee, warning them that a few questions

regarding sensitive subject areas may be asked, however, they are not obligated to answer if they

do not feel comfortable. We aimed to also honour the players wishes of confidentiality and

anonymity. Our goal was to employ the method of purposive sampling by targeting the

interviews towards players that we observed to show factors that may be beneficial to our

research. For example, when we noticed a player to continually adjust their hair throughout the

game, we sought to interview them. The interviews were recorded, then later transcribed for our

team to examine (see Appendix D).

Upon completion of qualitative, quantitative and informal interviews, we analyzed our

findings and grouped them into common themes then related them to our research aims to come

up with our results.

Results/Discussion

One of our findings from our analysis of the female soccer culture was that the female

athletes engaged in the feminine apologetic, which Harris (2005) described as women who

remained on teams compensated their masculinity by acting girly and wearing makeup to games
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and practices to be more feminine. Mina (one of our members) took a tally at each session on

how often the players took part in habitual body monitoring; how many times a player adjusted

their hair, uniform or anything to do with their appearance, on average she found 39 instances of

habitual body monitoring during games (see Appendix B). When asked about these behaviours,

speaker five stated: “I would always like to keep being feminine on the field. Like being

feminine is something that plays a large role in my life. I don't want to be like too manly, I don't

know what the best way to describe it would be. I wanna look like a girl”. Additionally, there

were a number of girls who had their hair done and in braids during games as well as a divided

group of girls who rolled their shorts for comfort and some who did it for looks. This observation

reflected Harris (2005) findings in his study of image issues in female soccer culture.

Another finding from our examination between higher-level and lower-level female

soccer teams confirmed Hughes and Coakley (1991) notion of positive deviance in sport and

how players tend to overconform to the sport ethic by playing through pain. Julianna (one of our

members) observed a trend through non-participant observation that players on the higher-level

teams would sacrifice their body to get in front of the ball compared to the lower level team who

would duck away from the ball when it came at them with speed. Julianna took a tally of the

amount of times a player ducked through the games, and on average the players on the lower

level team dodged the ball 10 times a session (see Appendix B). In comparison to the higher-

level team, which Julianna observed only one player dodge a ball from the two games she

observed. Mina asked a player on the lower-level team about these behaviours, to which speaker

4 responded, “if it was coming at me super-fast, I’d probably dodge it. I don’t want to get hit

hard”. This was further reinforced in an interview with a higher-level player when asked about

their opinion on how they react to a ball when it is coming at them with speed, speaker 6 stated,
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“I wouldn’t move away from it, I'd put my body in front of it to make sure the other team doesn’t

get the ball”. This observation supported Hughes and Coakleys (1991) notion of positive

deviance while also suggesting that athletes on higher level teams conform more than those on

the lower level team.

Madison (one of our members) played a game with the higher-level team as a goalie and

found that playing with the higher-level team made her feel the need to express behaviours of

positive deviance, which Hughes and Coakley (1991) describe as, “deviance among athletes

involves excessive overconformity to the norms and values embodied in [the] sport itself”

(p.307). Madison stated in her logbook, “I hurt my thumb when someone shot the ball at me, but

because of the tough aggression that the other players were showing I chose not to let anyone

know and played through the pain” (see Appendix A). Nick asked the goalie on the higher-level

team if she has ever sustained an injury followed by if she felt any pressure to get back and she

responded in regard to her finger injury, “It’s been up to a month. I have been told by physio and

my parents to take longer on my recovery, but my coach insists on me to play because it sucks

being the only goalie”. Overall participating in these practices and games gave us a firsthand

opportunity for how players present themselves on the field and these observations support our

aims. This observation reflected Abbott’s (2019) findings that athletes mental wellbeing can be

hindered if they cannot play due to injury. Goalies have built this negative mentality that they are

letting their team down if they come off the field due to an injury for the reason that they aren’t

in a position that is easy to replace.

Lastly, our findings have concluded that not all women playing at the higher and lower

levels play through pain and injury and conform to positive deviance. Through our interviews

with the girls on the team, almost all believed that injuries that included the head, ankle and
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knees needed to take time off to recover, and that playing through pain was not in the equation

when it came to their health being jeopardized. When we asked a player for her opinion about

players on the field with a suspected injury, speaker 3 replied, “They should come off. They

shouldn’t risk further injury”. The girls on the division one team strongly expressed that they

usually do not feel pressure from the coach to play on as they are easy to substitute on the field if

they were injured and felt that they could take their time recovering, even when being more

competitive than the division three team. However, not having anyone being able to replace a

position is one of the factors as to why the goalie on the division one teams felt the need to play

through her sprained fingers and ankles. She often received a harder time by the coach compared

to the other girls because she is the only goalie. These observations revealed that the goalie is

overconforming to positive deviance by playing through pain and injury because she feels

pressure to play by her coach, which is reflected by Hughes and Coakley’s (1991) findings of

positive deviance. However, in the division three team there was a slightly different narrative.

The girls did not have enough players on the team which forced them to play through pain and

get up quickly after a fall or a hit, but they did not feel pressure from their coach, it was more so

believing in themselves the finish the game. Only a couple girls got hit hard, but they walked it

off because they didn't feel as if it were serious. The division three girls felt that their coach

would not care if they got off and needed to recover despite the low count of players. Girls from

both teams reported that they influence themselves to come back to play because they don’t want

to miss out or disappoint anyone, therefore being off the field due to an injury went against our

aims showing that the girls do not feel their coaches are repeatedly encouraging them to play

through pain but it is more of a personal choice.

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Conclusion

Soccer is an internationally played sport known across the globe. It is accessible to

individuals of all socio-cultural and economic factors and therefore is considered as a

conventional sporting culture.

Female athlete’s views of the health and body in regard to the level of player conformity

to the sport ethic in playing through pain between higher-level and lower-level soccer teams as

well as body image ideals were examined. Researchers have found that females involved in

masculine sports such as soccer compensated their masculinity through feminine

appropriateness. The results of the research indicated that this past research was supported by the

data. Specifically, the data collected indicated that female soccer players purposively presented

themselves in a more feminine matter with the intentions of not looking like a man. Although

some of our data supported these past researchers it was found that a majority of the players

interviewed did not care about their appearance on the field. This may suggest that a change is

occurring with the body image ideals in female soccer.

Past research suggest that athletes overconform to the sport ethic by playing through pain

and sacrificing their body for the game. Our research aimed to determine if there was a

difference between high-level and low-level soccer teams and how they perceive the need to

conform to the sport ethic. The results of the research indicated that the females on the higher-

level soccer team play through pain more so than those on the lower-level team. However, it

became evident through our research this was not apparent for all players. More specifically, our

data revealed that players on the higher-level team understood the importance of taking care of

their bodies and to not play through pain and to come back to sport only when they know they
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are in fact ready to. Our data may suggest a shift is occurring in how athletes perceive the

importance of taking care of their body before sacrificing it for the game.

Our group found these results through the triangulation approach of participant, non-

participant, and semi-structured interviews with athletes. It is imperative to consider that these

findings were collected from only two sample teams and does not necessarily express that the

views on body and health within the conventional sporting culture of female soccer is fixed

across the globe. More research should be done within this sporting culture to further identify the

occurring changes within the sporting culture.

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References

Abbott, W., Brownlee, T. E., Harper, L. D., Naughton, R. J., Richardson, A., & Clifford, T.

(2019) A season long investigation into the effects of injury, match selection and training

load on mental wellbeing in professional under 23 soccer players: A team case study.

European Journal of Sport Science, 19(9), 1250-1256. doi:

10.1080/17461391.2019.1600586

Duncan, M. C., & Robinson, T. T. (2004). Obesity and Body Ideals in the Media: Health and

Fitness Practices of Young African-American Women. Quest (00336297), 56(1), 77–104.

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Faulkner, S.L., & Trotter, S.P. (2017). Data saturation. In The International Encyclopedia of

Communication Research Methods , doi:10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0060

Giza, E., Mithöfer, K., Farrell, L., Zarins, B., & Gill, T. (2005) Injuries in women’s professional

soccer. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(4) 212-216. doi:

10.1136/bjsm.2004.011973

Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2010). Research Methods for Sports Studies. New York: Rutledge.

Harris, J. (2005). The Image Problem in Women’s Football. Journal of Sport & Social Issues,

29(2), 184–197. doi:10.1177/0193723504273120.

Hughes, R., & Coakley, J. (1991). Positive Deviance Among Athletes: The Implications of

Overconformity to the Sport Ethic. Sociology of Sport Journal, 8(4), 307–325. https://0-

doi-org.orca.douglascollege.ca/10.1123/ssj.8.4.307
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Hoening, C. (2014, January 12). The Measure of Diversity That Only One U.S. Pro Sport Meets.

Retrieved from https://www.diversityinc.com/measure-diversity-one-u-s-pro-sport-

meets/.

Joseph, A. M., Collins, C. L., Henke, N. M., Yard, E. E., Fields, S. K., & Comstock, R. D.

(2013). A multisport epidemiologic comparison of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in

high school athletics. Journal of Athletic Training, 48(6), 810–817. doi:10.4085/1062-

6050-48.6.03

Kato, K., Jevas, S., & Culpepper, D. (2011). Body Image Disturbances in NCAA Division I and

III Female Athletes.Sport Journal, 14(1), 1–2. Retrieved fromhttps://0-search-

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10). Retrieved from http://www.srgnet.com/2014/06/10/massive-competition-in-pursuit-

of-the-5-7-billion-canadian-youth-sports-market/

Sawe, B. E. Elisha. (2018, April 5). The most popular sports in the world. Retrieved

from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-

world.html

Schultz, J. (2005). Reading the catsuit: Serena Williams and the production of blackness at the

2002 U.S. Open. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 29(3), 338-357. doi:

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st-live&scope=site
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Appendix A

Madison’s participant observation logbook:

Sunday October 27th (Div 3)

I noticed throughout the game that I was constantly adjusting my appearances in ways such as
adjusting my pants and how they fit around my waist. As well as all through the game I was
fixing my hair to get it out of my face and fixing my ponytail whenever it became loose. I don't
think I would have noticed these adjustments if it hadn't been brought to my attention where I
was looking for it, once it was a thought in my head I noticed myself adjusting my uniform and
such a lot more than I thought I was doing. Whenever one of my teammates went down whether
they seemed to be really hurt or if they just needed a minute to shake it off, I found myself
naturally going to them to make sure they were ok and not trying to continue to play if they
couldn't. More times than not they would be ok, but there were a couple times in the game where
one of my teammates insisted, they were ok but after a few minutes they needed to get off the
field. I also noticed at half time when we all went to our bench and our coach was speaking to us
everyone sat on the bench except for a couple of people and everyone who was sitting had the
legs crossed as if they were posing for a picture. At the end of the game when we were shaking
hands, although it seemed like teams hated each other on the field everyone shook hands and
when we said “good game” for most people it naturally was spoken in a high tone of voice out of
their normal speaking range. When getting our cleats off and getting ready to leave, I noticed that
a couple a girl would take their hair out of a ponytail and pull out a brush and perfume before
they even left the field.

Sunday November 3rd (Div 3)

During this game I was so focused on playing but as soon as I did something that wasn’t soccer
related, I noticed. I found that since there were lots of people watching the game that I knew I
tried to make sure I was at the top of my game, and made sure I was presentable if anyone
looked my way which included brushing the hair out of my face and adjusting my shorts and
socks to look a certain way and playing with my jersey so it didn't puff out and was tucked
comfortably. In the game I made a save but I was in a weird position, and it felt like I pulled a
muscle, but I got up and played through it because it was bearable and also because I am the only
goalie and there is no one else to replace me if I go down, so I had to play through it.
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Thursday November 7th (Div 3)

Today at practice as soon as I walked onto the field we gathered around and put on our cleats,
while constantly talking to each other and giggling. As only five of us showed up it was a pretty
loose practice. We put on our gear and ran three laps for part of our warmup. As we were
running the chatting didn’t stop, our conversations carried over from when we were putting on
out cleats and they just never stopped, even when we were on our third lap and starting to lose
our breath the words still managed to slip out of our mouths. At the end of our warmup we did
some stretching. I noticed when we were stretching everyone was fixing their hair, taking of
layers and fixing their shirts before we got up from out stretch. When we were practicing, we did
a 2 on 2 drill and one goalie, so a half-court game. When we were playing whenever someone
made a mistake there was always some kind of sound effect to go with it, it varied from screech
to a grunt or a swear. Or if I made a save, even though it's only practice I would get a look from a
couple of my teammates that couldn't get it passed me. Throughout the practice conversations
and giggles continued until the end of practice. When practice was finished everyone sat down to
change their shoes and everyone included the coaches sat there for an extra 15 minutes just
chatting. With a practice that only has five players it was very hard to actually practice without
getting distracted with something other than soccer, because there are very minimal things you
can do with so little players.

Friday November 8th (Div 1)

Today I played in net for the Div 1 team. The atmosphere was pretty different from the Div 3, in
terms of competitiveness and awareness. Both the Div 3 and Div 1 teams prime focus is the
game. It seemed subconsciously though that more of those on the Div 3 team had ideas in the
back of their head to appear more feminine than the Div 1 team. More girls had their shorts
rolled up and would fix their hair and looks throughout the game. Those on the Div 1 team had
more of the tough aggressive exterior. Looking at our opponents as well they seemed like very
angry individuals, it was most likely just their game face. Every time I looked at the face when
they were coming towards me the player had dagger eyes and a cutthroat look before they would
shoot the ball. I hurt my thumb when someone shot the ball at me, but because of the tough
aggression that the other players were showing I chose not to let anyone know and played
through the pain.
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Appendix B

Quantitative method of observation we actively looked for during soccer games/practices

regarding body monitoring/image and sacrificing their body for the game: A running tally sheet.

Habitual Body Monitoring Tallies/ Notes

Division 3 (game 1)

= 48

- 3/11 girls with their hair done

- 4/11 girls were wearing makeup
- #3 touches hair a lot

Division 3 (game 2)

= 37

- 6/12 girls were wearing make up

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Division 1 (game 1)

= 43
- 9/16 girls were wearing makeup

Division 1 (game 2)

= 29

-4 girls with hair done

-8/15 girls wearing makeup

Average of all games: 39 instances

Dodging the ball tallies. Actions of dodging the ball identifies that players are not conforming
to the sport ethic through their choice of not sacrificing their body for the game.

Division 3 game 1

= 12

Division 3 game 2

=9

Division 1 game 1

=1
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Division 1 game 2
=0
Appendix C

Semi-structured interview questions that we asked to athletes individually:

1. When did you start playing soccer?

2. How important is athletics in your life right now? (Rate between 1 and 10 where 10=

Extremely High; 1 = No importance)

3. What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

4. Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

5. If so, how long was your recovery? Did you feel pressured to going back to soon? (If

applicable, Possibility for reinjury?)

6. What's your opinion about players on the field with a suspected injury?

7. What kind of injury would be acceptable to miss a game or practice?

8. How do you feel being done with practice or game? How do you feel being sweaty?

9. Do you or have you ever rolled up your shorts? If so why?

10. Have you ever worn makeup during a game or practices? Why? How do you feel when you

do wear makeup compared to when you don’t?

11. Do you think you adjust your appearance throughout the game? If yes, in what ways and how

often do you think?

12. How long do you take getting ready for soccer?

13. How do you prepare yourself before games? Do you do things to fix your appearance or

enhance your features?

14. Were you ever told to be within a specific range of body composition? Weight?
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15. Do you feel pressured to look a certain way and monitor your weight because of it

Appendix D

*Div 1 is higher level, Div 3 is lower level*

Speaker 1 Interview (Div 3)

Madison: When did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 1: When I was 5 years old

Madison: Was it your choice to start playing?

Speaker 1: Yes

Madison: How important is athletics in your life right now on a scale of one to ten, one not really
and ten being very?

Speaker 1: I’d say probably about an 8, because it’s my stress reliever

Madison: What’s your opinion about players with suspected injuries?

Speaker 1: It depends if they can play through it I think, depends on their pain tolerance. If they
need to come off then they will signal that they need to come off, usually after they try to play on
and they realize they can’t.

Madison: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 1: Uhm, if it was coming at me super-fast, I think I would try to not let it hit me.

Madison: So, what kind of injury do you think would be acceptable to miss a game or a practice?

Speaker 1: Head injuries, Ankles, anything that can get worse if you play with it, like strain
muscles you can kind of play through and it will be ok but it its anything to do with ankles,
knees, heads than not a good idea.

Madison: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 1: Yes

Madison: What was the injury?

WOMEN’S SOCCER 22

Speaker 1: Shin splints

Madison: So how long was your recovery?

Speaker 1: About a month and a half

Madison: Did you feel that you were pressured to go back to soon?

Speaker 1: No, but I wanted to play

Madison: Ok so was it like an individual pressure you felt then?

Speaker 1: Yeah, I want to play, I can’t just sit here and watch

Madison: How do you feel at the end of a practice or a game when you come of the field all
sweaty?

Speaker 1: It feels good after, haha, it’s the feeling of accomplishment for me

Madison: So, do you roll up your shorts?

Speaker 1: Yes

Madison: why do you do it?

Speaker 1: The shorts are men’s and they are too long when they come over my knees

Madison: Have you ever worn makeup during a game or a practice?

Speaker 1: Probably at one point but I usually don’t. If anything, the reason I would be wearing
makeup is because I was rushing from work

Madison: Do you ever adjust your appearance throughout a game?

Speaker 1: No, I don’t even think I fix my hair throughout the game. However, I look at the end
of the game is the way I look, haha.

Madison: How long does it take you to get ready for soccer?

Speaker 1: umm like 10 minutes, depends if I am eating

Madison: How do you prepare yourself before games?

Speaker 1: I rush out the door and blast music on my way to the game

Madison: Just throw on your jersey, tie your hair up and out the door?
WOMEN’S SOCCER 23

Speaker 1: Always

Madison: Have you ever been told that you have to be in a specific range of body composition,
regarding weight?

Speaker 1: No, I am pretty small, and coaches seem to care more about fitness rather than your
physical appearance, as long as you get the job done.

Madison - Great, thank you for participating in the interview

Speaker 2 Interview (Div 3)

Madison: When did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 2: I think I was about 8 years old

Madison: Was it your choice to start playing?

Speaker 2: Yes, all my friends were playing so I wanted to play too

Madison: How important is athletics in your life right now on a scale of one to ten, one being not
really and ten being very?

Speaker 2: I’d say an 8, I love soccer and I'm pretty dedicated to the team

Madison: What's your opinion about players with a suspected injury?

Speaker 2: With a suspected…I think it’s their choice, like it’s their body and especially at this
age (20), if they are little then sure pull them off and see what the situation is, but we can kind of
decide for ourselves.

Madison: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 2: It depends on how fast its coming at me, if it’s something I think I can take to the
chest I will.

Madison: So, what kind of injury do you think is acceptable to miss a game or a practice?

Speaker 2: Head injuries for sure, probably anything that can be made worse if you keep playing.

Madison: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

WOMEN’S SOCCER 24

Speaker 2: Yes

Madison: What was the injury?

Speaker 2: I got a concussion once. I have bad knees and ankles from soccer.

Madison: So how long was your recovery?

Speaker 2: I think the only time that I actually sat out of playing soccer was when I had the
concussion which was probably about a month.

Madison: Did you feel that you were pressured to go back to soon?

Speaker 2: No, I wanted to play though like I can’t not participate

Madison: Ok so then it was more the internal pressure that you put on yourself to get back to
playing?

Speaker 2: It was definitely pressure I put on myself, cause I wanted to play really bad.

Madison: How do you feel at the end of a game or a practice when you come off the field all
sweaty?

Speaker 2: I feel good, I feel gross but…

Madison: Gross but good?

Speaker 2: Yeah

Madison: When you play soccer do you roll up your shorts at the waist?

Speaker 2: Yes definitely

Madison: Why do you do it?

Speaker 2: because these are men’s shorts and they are way to long, and It's more comfortable
when the ends of my shorts aren’t getting caught on my knees

Madison: Have you ever worn makeup during a game or a practice?

Speaker 2: I used to, like when I first started to wear makeup because I felt good wearing it, but I
don’t anymore. I don’t think I have worn makeup to a game on purpose in a really long time. If I
do it would be because I am coming from work or school.

Madison: Do you think you adjust your appearance throughout a game?

WOMEN’S SOCCER 25

Speaker 2: No, I look like shit all the time, haha oh sorry didn’t mean to swear. No I don’t think
so I don’t even think I fix my hair or my ponytail at all until they end of the game, cause its just
going to get messed up anyway.

Madison: How long does it take you to get ready for soccer?

Speaker 2: 5 minutes maybe, I put my uniform up and throw my hair in a ponytail

Madison: How do you prepare yourself before games?

Speaker 2: I wake up, put on my soccer stuff and walk out the door. I eat maybe an hour before.

Madison: Have you ever been told that you have to be in a specific range of body composition,
regarding weight?

Speaker 2: Like that I have to look a certain way?

Madison: Yeah

Speaker 2: I don’t think so, I have never been told I have to look a certain way. But it is assumed
going into a season that you are going to train and get your fitness level up to be able to keep up
with the competition.

Madison - Great, thanks for participating in the interview

Speaker 3 Interview (Div 3)

Nick: So, when did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 3: I think I was like 5.

Nick: OK. And how important is athletics like soccer in your life at the moment. On a scale of 1
to 10

Speaker 3: At the moment, I would say it's a six this because I used to be a lot more into it, I had
a scholarship opportunity then I turned it down and now just kind of something I do for leisure
activity.

Nick: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 3: It would be instinct for me to drop out of the way, I don’t want to be hit in the face
hard
WOMEN’S SOCCER 26

Nick: What's your opinion about players on the field with a suspected injury?

Speaker 3: They should come off. They shouldn’t risk further injury.

Nick: Gotcha. And what kind of injury would be acceptable to miss a game or practice?

Speaker 3: I think honestly, it depends on how you are feeling about it. Like if you think that it
would be like, you know, your body the best, I think that you should be sitting out, then you
should probably sit out. Don’t let it get worse.

Nick: Have you personally ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 3: Yeah, I did something to my meniscus, and I like tore, not tore, but like ripped one of
the ligaments in my knees

Nick: Jeez. How long was your recovery?

Speaker 3: I'm still not really fully recovered. Like it never fully recovered. But I took like a
month off

Nick: During your recovery, even now. Do you feel any pressure going back to the game?

Speaker 3: Oh, yeah. Especially because we don't really have any subs

Nick: Ok, so now some personal questions. Feel free to not answer them or anything like that.

Speaker 3: Ok.

Nick: How do you feel being done with your practice? Do you feel more accomplished, or like
sweaty and panting and hot after a game What's your opinion on that?

Speaker 3: Yes. I think it’s good. Like I know it's good for you, and I think it feels nice just
knowing I've done something for yourself.

Nick: Right. Ok. Have you ever adjusted your shorts or rolled them up for either appearance or
comfort wise?

Speaker 3: Yes.

Nick: Ok. Do you mind elaborating on why?

Speaker 3: It's just kind of, just I feel like almost everyone does it, so I just started doing it, too.

Nick: Gotcha. OK. You have ever worn makeup during a game or practice?
WOMEN’S SOCCER 27

Speaker 3: Not intentionally. I used to have dance right before I had soccer so like I try to wipe
off everything in the car on the way here. But like sometimes it was inevitable.

Nick: You never like intended to put on makeup. Ok. Gotcha. Awesome. Do you think you
adjust your appearance, whether it's your shirt and pants, your hair, anything throughout the
game or practice?

Speaker 3: Not really for style, but like if my hair is falling out, ill redo it.

Nick: Gotcha. So, you're just not intentionally really?

Speaker 5: Yes.

Nick: Ok. How long does it take you to get ready for soccer? Do you do any rituals?

Speaker 3: I roll my knee out on the side of my leg. It takes me like 10 minutes

Nick: Gotcha. Were you ever told to be within a specific range like body composition to be in
soccer, whether that's height, size, weight, whatnot?

Speaker 3: Yeah. And when I was younger, I was going to California, like Hawaii and stuff for
recruiting So they kind of put pressure on you to be really fit, like run every day, but like not
anymore.

Nick: Yeah. Do you feel pressure to look a certain way? Even now when you're not trying out to
do with weights or athleticism?

Speaker 3: I think of the levels that were at, no. But if I was at a higher level, I definitely think
that I would, because there’s kind of like a stigma.

Nick: Gotcha. Ok, two more questions. How do you feel when you get back up after an injury or
fall? So, if you would fall in a field with a. Practice or a game? Do you feel any pressure getting
up at a certain time or taking your time?

Speaker 3: I would definitely feel the pressure to get back up as soon as possible. That’s just
something my coaches have engraved into me since I was younger.

Nick: So, does her coach help influence her decision on playing through pain? So if you've got
either a large injury or a small injury, would they recommend you just sit out or play.

Speaker 3: Uhm not the coach I have now, but I feel like when I was at a higher level, and I had
a bigger injury, I’d be pressured to play.

Nick: Would you say that you prioritize the game over your overall well-being? \
WOMEN’S SOCCER 28

Speaker 3: Not anymore, I think before I did. But again, like right now, we're not at a high
enough level for me to really feel like I need to.

Nick: Gotcha. Awesome. Great answers. Thank you so much for your time.

Speaker 4 Interview (Div 3)

Mina: okay so, when did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 4: I was four.

Mina: How important is athletics in your life right now?

Speaker 4: Pretty important. I would say that it's a big part of my life and it keeps me sane and
healthy.

Mina: Do you take soccer very seriously?

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Mina: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 4: if it was coming at me super-fast, I’d probably dodge it. I don’t want to get hit hard.

Mina: What kind of injury do you think would be acceptable to miss a game or a practice?

Speaker 4: it depends on the injury I suppose. Like I’ve played many games with minor injuries
and If I think that I can't play with the injury, then I would get off the field.

Mina: You guys didn't have any extra players today. Do you think you would feel pressured to
play through the pain if you got injured?

Speaker 4: umm, again I think it depends on the severity of the injury. If I think I can really hurt
myself I would get off, but if I felt like I was fine, I would stay.

Mina: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 4: Yeah, I got a concussion and passed out, then went off.

Mina: And then how long was your recovery?

Speaker 4: I already had a condition to begin with, so about two years.

Mina- in those two years did you ever feel pressured to come back sooner.
WOMEN’S SOCCER 29

Speaker 4: No.

Mina: how do you feel when you get back up from a fall or an injury on the field?

Speaker 4: I don't feel pressure from other people, I feel more exhilarating and motivated to keep
going.

Mina: Do your coaches influence you to play through pain or injury?

Speaker 4: No, the coaches feel that we’ll make the right choices for ourselves. If i feel that i
can’t play they’ll take us off no problem, even if it was like a game like today where we didn't
have enough people. If we choose to play on, he trusts that were okay with it.

Mina: do you think you choose soccer over your well-being?

Speaker 4: No, I prioritize my health over the game.

Mina: okay, I have some questions on appearance and you can answer them whether or not you
feel comfortable. How do you feel being done with practice or a game being sweaty?

Speaker 4: well good? I’m signing up for it, yeah.

Mina: Have you ever or do you roll up your shorts? If so, why do you do it?

Speaker 4: I find it to be more comfortable, I don't like that long shorts have extra fabric.

Mina: Have you ever worn like make-up to your games or practices?

Speake 4: uhh, no.

Mina: Do you think you adjust your appearance during the game?

Speaker 4: well I mean I brush away my hair if it’s getting in the way, but not really for looking
good. Yeah, I don't really care.

Mina: How long would you say you take to get ready for soccer? Do you have a routine that you
do you would say enhances your appearance?

Speaker 4: Ten minutes? I don't do anything special. I just throw everything on.

Mina: Were you ever told to be within a specific range of body composition by any of your
coaches?

Speaker 4: No.
WOMEN’S SOCCER 30

Mina: Have you ever felt pressure to look a certain way.

Speaker 4: No.

Mina: Have you never monitor your weight?

Speaker 4: No.

Mina: Thank you so much for your time.

Speaker 5 Interview (Div 3)

Mina: Okay so when would you say you started playing soccer?

Speaker 5: when I was four, no five. Five yeah.

Mina: Did you feel pressured into playing the sport by your parents?

Speaker 5: No, I don't really think so. I mean at one point in my life, I did, but that was a short
period of my life.

Mina: How important do you think athletics is to you?

Speaker 5: Very important. It plays a large role in my life like it taught me leadership skills. I
definitely like benefit in that way. And teamwork as well along with other skills that I can use
every day.

Mina: Do you take soccer very seriously?

Speaker 5: yeah, yeah, I mean I have fun or whatever. But it is more of a priority.

Mina: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 5: I would try to put myself into a position to receive the ball without it hurting

Mina: Okay, so what kind of injury do you think would be acceptable to miss a game or a
practice?

Speaker 5: That's a tough question, honestly, it's okay if you feel that you can push through it. I
mean, I'm the kind of person to play through even if I have a slight injury. Like that's just me.

Mina: Did you feel pressured to play through pain or get up from all the hits you experienced
today?
WOMEN’S SOCCER 31

Speaker 5: Honestly, I did today, definitely just because like we were down players, so we didn't
have any subs. There were a couple times when I wanted to come off the field so bad, but like
I'm also that kind of person to just go through it.

Mina: And then have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 5: Just short-term injuries. I've never had a long-term injury that kept me out for more
than three weeks.

Mina: Did you feel pressured to be back on the field sooner?

Speaker 5: I mean in the last recent years I’ve definitely felt a little bit more pressure to be ready
to play just because we haven't had a lot of players on this team, so like a lot of times, I feel like I
need to be there but when I was younger and playing on teams that had lots of players on it I
didn't feel that way.

Mina: How do you feel when you are done a game or practice being sweaty and stuff.

Speaker 5: Well, tired, but also at the same time, it definitely gives me a release of stress. In a
good way it relaxes me even though it isn't a relaxing sport.

Mina: Have your coaches ever influenced you to play through pain?

Speaker 5: No, I don't think so. I mean my dad has been my coach my whole life and he hasn't
ever like forced me to play. Like if you're injured, he wants you to relax and rest up. But when i
play through an injury, it's just my own motivation I suppose.

Mina: Do you consider soccer to be more important than your well-being?

Speaker 5: To a certain degree yes. Yeah, I mean in the long run if I was seriously injured, then
in that case I would definitely put that before soccer.

Mina: I've got some appearance questions; you can answer whether or not you want to. Do you
roll up your shorts?

Speaker 5: Yeah.

Mina- Like why do you do it.

Speaker 5: I just think it’s ridiculous on how long these shorts are. I still want to be a feminine
on the field.

Mina: So, do you do it to look better?

Speaker 5: I suppose so, I definitely don’t think it’s for comfort because my shorts ride up and i
have to keep picking out a wedge out of my ass.
WOMEN’S SOCCER 32

Mina: Do you ever wear make-up to practice or games?

Speaker 5: Not usually, no.

Mina: What's your routine for getting ready for your practices and games.

Speaker 5: Usually not a whole heck of a lot. I usually just get ready in fifteen minutes, then go
out the door. For days to come, I usually do try to plan my life around the fact that I have a game
tomorrow or something because I want to be healthy enough to play so ill prepack things the
night before or something.

Mina: Do you do anything to enhance your appearance?

Speaker 5: No, usually I look at myself in the mirror and I'm just like this is what I look like,
alright. I mean if there's like leftover make up, then I’ll take that off because Lord knows when it
rains, mascara just drips everywhere. Of your nose when it right. Yeah not a whole heck of a lot.

Mina: Do you think you adjust your parents throughout the game? If you do think that you do, in
what ways do you think you do it.

Speaker 5: honestly not really because usually I come home from a game and a look at myself
and just think meh. So usually no, unless my hair falls everywhere and gets on my face.

Mina: Were you ever told to be in a specific range of a body composition or weight by your
coach?

Speaker 5: I mean I don't really need to because I'm a very small person in general just the way I
am. But I think if I was heavier, it would be a lot harder to play to the ability that I'd like to.

Mina: Do you feel pressure to look a certain way?

Speaker 5: Not really, I mean, I would always like to keep being feminine on the field. Like
being feminine is something that plays a large role in my life. I I don't want to be like too manly,
I don't know what the best way to describe it would be. I wanna look like a girl.

Mina: Have you ever monitored your weight because of these things?

Speaker 5: No, no, not usually.

Mina: There were a couple of things your teammates were yelling. What does it mean when
someone says, “man-on.”

Speaker 5: Oh! That means like somebody's like coming on to you. Like pressuring onto you, so
be aware that somebody's going to be on you. Yeah, I don't know why we don't have, Lady on,”
WOMEN’S SOCCER 33

or,” women-on.” I'm not sure where the phrase, “man-on,” came from. Honestly, I don't really
know but I remember when I hit like U14 and U15, it was something we kept saying because of
the coaches, so it's always stuck. It honestly is kind of weird.

Mina: Do you feel that by playing a masculine sport, you have to be feminine to compensate for
it?

Speaker 5: Definitely yeah, yeah, yeah.

Mina: Okay, great. Thank you so much.

Speaker 6 Interview (Div 1)

Julianna: When did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 6: I was four or five.

Julianna: How important is athletics in your life right now? Rate between one in ten. So one
being like not important and 10 being like, very important.

Speaker 6: Seven

Julianna: Why is that? Like what's your priorities right now.

Speaker 6: School.

Julianna: What is your opinion on how you would react to a ball coming at you with speed?

Speaker 6: I would get in front of it and take it to the chest.

Julianna: Ok, cool. What's your opinion about players on the field with a suspected injury?

Speaker 6: They should be removed. They shouldn’t risk getting hurt to further their injury.

Julianna: So, like, you think, it's important that they don't put stress on their bodies just to play a
game

Speaker 6: Yeah. Especially if they know that they're injured. They shouldn't.

Julianna: What’s your opinion on how a player should react to a ball coming at them with speed

Speaker 6: I wouldn’t move away from it, I'd put my body in front of it to make sue the other
team doesn’t get the ball.

Julianna: What kind of injury would be acceptable to miss a game or practice?

WOMEN’S SOCCER 34

Speaker 6: Anything that hurts.

Julianna: So even like very minor stuff would be acceptable?

Speaker 6: If it can risk getting worse then Yeah. Unless it's like you broke a nail.

Julianna: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 6: Like gotten hurt?

Julianna: Yeah.

Speaker 6: Yes.

Julianna: So, what did you do, what happened to yourself?

Speaker 6: I hurt my ankles. I've hurt my back; I’ve hurt my knees.

Julianna: Did you take time off after that or did you continue playing?

Speaker 6: I have taken time off for my back and not for my ankles.

Julianna: Did you miss practices or games?

Speaker 6: Yes. I missed practices for my back

Julianna: How long was your recovery for your ankle?

Speaker 6: 10 years.

Julianna: Are you still recovering? You're still playing, so like does it like hurt after games?

Speaker 6: They're not bad anymore. They're like better.

Julianna: But like when you first did it, did you feel like you came back way too soon?

Speaker 6: Yeah, well, because I had to wear my braces, so I feel like that. I mean, they were still
hurting. I probably could have taken a break.

Julianna: Did you like at all feel pressured to come back too early?

Speaker 6: No, but I came back because you just don't want to miss stuff.

Julianna: So how do you feel after like a game or practice? Like how do you feel like when you
come off sweaty and all that?
WOMEN’S SOCCER 35

Speaker 6: It depends on how the games going.

Julianna: I mean like body wise. Do you feel gross when you're like sweaty?

Speaker 6: I feel kind of used to it. It's like normal.

Julianna: Like does it bother you.

Speaker 6: No

Julianna: Do you or have you ever rolled up your shorts if so, why. So, like do you hike up your
shorts?

Speaker 6: What?

Julianna: Like the length of your shorts, do you hike them up.

Speaker 6: Oh, no, I hate that.

Julianna: Have you ever worn makeup during a game or practice?

Speaker 6: Yeah. I'm wearing it right now.

Julianna: Why? So why do you wear makeup?

Speaker 6: I was wearing it already.

Julianna: Have you ever like put it on for a game where you haven't been wearing any makeup
for a whole day and put it on for a game?

Speaker 6: Probably not. No, I don't think so.

Julianna: How do you feel when you wear makeup compared to like when you don't?

Speaker 6: It depends on the situation.

Julianna: Yeah. Like, elaborate on that.

Speaker 6: If I'm at soccer or school, I don't care. if I'm going if I'm like going out trying to look
good, then I'm going to wear makeup.

Julianna: So, you don't really care to look nice for soccer games?

Speaker 6: No
WOMEN’S SOCCER 36

Julianna: How long you take to get ready for soccer

Speaker 6: Two minutes. Yeah, I guess it goes back to not caring.

Julianna: Do you think that you adjust your appearance while you're playing? So like fixing your
hair.

Speaker 6: Yeah. I always touch my lashes, but that's just the thing I do all the time. It’s not
specific to anything. It's just a habit. Yeah, nothing to do with peers.

Julianna: Were you ever told to be within a specific range of body composition like weight wise?

Speaker 6: No.

Julianna: Do you feel any pressure for body image in soccer?

Speaker 6: No

Julianna: Awesome thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Speaker 7 Interview (Div 1)

Mina: So, when did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 7: when it was Timbits, so I like 5?

Mina: Did you feel pressure to play soccer?

Speaker 7: Well, I’ve wanted to quit quite a few times, but then they're like, “oh, but we paid for
this already. So push one more season, just one more season and then I never had the guts to quit
so it's kind of like whatever.

Mina: How important do you think athletics are to you?

Speaker 7: Very important, because i have to juggle school, work and sports, so I bother to make
time for it. It’s what has helped me succeed with people and taught me how to communicate. It is
also an outlet for me to express my emotions and let it out as a coping mechanism.

Mina: What kind of injury do you think would be acceptable to miss a game or a practice?

Speaker 7: Like I tore my ACL, MCL and meniscus. I was out for three years and now I'm back
into it. So, kind of depends on the person, the injury and what they want to do. Like Laura, a girl
on my team, if you get so many concussions, you shouldn't come back because that would be
WOMEN’S SOCCER 37

risking her mental health and her life. Whereas if it's like a knee injury, then you can come back
from it.

Mina: Okay, have you ever sustained an injury?

Speaker 7: Yeah, I tore my ACL, MCL and meniscus and I have a slipped disc in my back.

Mina: How long do you think your recovery for that is going to be?

Speaker 7: My ACL was 2 years and my back is permanent.

Mina: Did you feel pressure to come back at all from your coaches or peers or yourself?

Speaker 7: I think it’s more pressure from yourself not to let anyone else down. The pressure
and the biggest fear was that it was an outlet to release my like anger and fear or anything. It was
just the way I got my emotions in control. So, once It was gone, I had a lot of breakdowns and I
didn't know a new outlet, so kind of pressured myself to get back into it, but I also waited for two
years. So, I knew I was ready to go back in so yes, and no to there being pressured.

Mina: How do you feel being done the game and being sweaty.

Speaker 7: I love it. I love the shower after. Especially when you had a good practice or a good
game and you feel like you're actually a part of the team, you're just in a better mood. But
appearance wise It doesn’t really matter to me. I mean, I never felt that appearance matters in
sports. I always felt that kind of pressure in school more than anything else.

Mina: Has your coach influenced you to play through your injuries?

Speaker 7: No, not my current coach. But I’ve had coaches that undermined my injuries and kept
telling me that I was fine. I had patellar dysplasia. So, my kneecaps at on the inside of my knees.
So, they weren't aligned properly, and I had it from grade 6 to grade 12. We’re told to separate
drama and school life from soccer and to keep all that stuff off of the field.

Mina: I was going to ask questions on physical appearance. Feel free to answer or not. So, have
you guys ever like rolled up your shorts? If so, why?

Speaker 7: I do, I roll them once because they're too loose and I need them a little tighter. It's
more of a comfort thing than like trying to impress anyone.

Mina: Have you ever worn makeup to like practices or games?

Speaker 7: Yeah, if like I'm coming from somewhere or an event. I do my eyebrows and then I'll
do like mascara once in a while just as thing for throughout the day, but not specifically for
soccer. But I also wouldn’t bother taking off my make-up unless it’s a bit too much and i might
just sweat it all off.
WOMEN’S SOCCER 38

Mina: How long do you take getting ready for soccer?

Speaker 7: Like 30 minutes, just because I always leave late, so I try to start early so I don't feel
rushed, but then I like to dilly dally and end up late anyways.

Mina: What does your routine consist of?

Speaker 7: I get dressed and then I fill my water. Then comes eating, which takes up the most
time. Unless, I’m coming from work because my work would finish at 8:30 and practice started
at 8:30. So I have to change while driving. That in itself is an Olympic sport

Mina: Do you ever feel like you need to look a certain way or anything?

Speaker 7: I don't think so, with athletes I don't think there is a specific body type, everyone is
just themselves.ve everyone's like.

Mina: Do you do anything when you prepare for soccer to enhance your physical appearance?

Speaker 7: I like to tie my hair a certain way. But, if I don't, then it falls down a lot easier. It’s
just more practical while i play.

Mina: has your coach ever said that you need to have a specific range of body composition?

Speaker 7: She said that if we worked more on ourselves, then we would perform better on the
field. One of my old coaches, he loves to do like HIIT workouts, and he was like ex-military
soldier. Like a short stubby guy, but really fit, so he like tried to bring that into us, but that was
more so we knew what working hard and feeling tired was like.

Mina: Have you ever monitored your weight or anything.

Speaker 7: I mean not from soccer, just pressure in school. Like I like to follow soccer players
and see what they do because I learn from what I see. So, like I see the way defenders position
themselves, and like the way they play and how all the movement should happen, and I try to
bring out onto the field. These Professionals play at high levels and the way they look makes
senses in comparison to that. Like we’re playing a women’s leagues. We don't need to be as fit
as they are. They work out 6-7 days a week and have to stick to an actual nutritional diet and
physique.

Mina: Thank you so much for your time.

Speaker 8 Interview (Div 1)

Nick: When did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 8: In grade one, so fifteen years ago

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Nick: How important is athletics in your life right now? (Rate between 1 and 10 where 10=
Extremely High; 1 = No importance)

Speaker 8: Ten, I would put soccer before anything else

Nick: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

Speaker 8: Yes, a concussion, chipped and sprained finger, sprained ankle

Nick: If so, how long was your recovery? Did you feel pressured to going back to soon?

Speaker 8: it’s been up to a month. I have been told by physio’s and parents to take longer on my
recovery

Nick: What's your opinion about players on the field with a suspected injury?

Speaker 8: It depends on the injury, but if you're unable to properly play the sport then you
should probably go off.

Nick: What kind of injury would be acceptable to miss a game or practice?

Speaker 8: I think a concussions, sprains, strains and breaks

Nick: How do you feel being done with practice or game? How do you feel being sweaty?

Speaker 8: usually it’s pretty good like it’s a good stress relief and I feel mentally and physically
drained, but it feels like I got a lot out, it’s my stress relief

Nick: Do you or have you ever rolled up your shorts? If so why?

Speaker 8: No, I haven’t I find it uncomfortable

Nick: Have you ever worn makeup during a game or practices? Why? How do you feel when
you do wear makeup compared to when you don’t?

Speaker 8: Never.

Nick: Do you think you adjust your appearance throughout the game? If yes, in what ways and
how often do you think?

Speaker 8: I don’t do it for appearance more for practicality like I have to have a braid in my hair
or else it gets in my face

Nick: How long do you take getting ready for soccer?

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Speaker 8: As a goalie I am pretty superstitious so I have to leave at the same time and usually I
start getting ready 30 minutes before I have to go, put stuff in my bag the same way each time,
bring the same stuff into my car in the same order, stuff like that.

Nick: How do you prepare yourself before games? Do you do things to fix your appearance or
enhance your features?

Speaker 8: Yes, I have to get to the field before anyone else, I need time by myself, to get calm
and I hate being late, and lots of music on the way here.

Nick: Were you ever told to be within a specific range of body composition? Weight?

Speaker 8: Yes, I have.

Nick: Do you feel pressured to look a certain way and monitor your weight because of it?

Speaker 8: I try to, obviously there is some pressure also being female.

Nick How do you feel when you get back up after an injury or fall on the field?

Speaker 8: Definitely as a keeper it’s a keep going until there is a time where I can slow
down, there isn’t much time for me to sit there and remove myself, I have to keep going until
the play stops.

Nick: Does your coach help influence whether or not to play through pain?

Speaker 8: Yes, very much so.

Nick: Would you prioritize the game over your well-being?

Speaker 8: I would say so, I think being a goalie that has a huge influence, I have been a
player in other sports and I think I can totally see a difference, like when I am in net, I put the
game before anything else.

Speaker 9 Interview (Div 1)

Nick: When did you start playing soccer?

Speaker 9: Thirteen years ago, when I was seven

Nick: How important is athletics in your life right now? (Rate between 1 and 10 where 10=
Extremely High; 1 = No importance)

Speaker 9: eight

Nick: Have you ever sustained an injury from soccer?

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Speaker 9: Yes, I rolled my ankle

Nick: Did you feel pressured to going back to soon?

Speaker 9: Probably around three weeks, I definitely sped up my recovery process

Nick: What kind of injury would be acceptable to miss a game or practice?

Speaker 9: Something that could lead to long term injury

Nick: How do you feel being done with practice or game? How do you feel being sweaty?

Speaker 9: I think for a game you should be physically exhausted

Nick: Do you or have you ever rolled up your shorts? If so why?

Speaker 9: No

Nick: Have you ever worn makeup during a game or practices? Why? How do you feel when
you do wear makeup compared to when you don’t?

Speaker 9: Not unless I am already wearing it

Nick: Do you think you adjust your appearance throughout the game? If yes, in what ways and
how often do you think?

Speaker 9: Definitely not

Nick: How long do you take getting ready for soccer?

Speaker 9: Ten minutes

Nick: How do you prepare yourself before games?

Speaker 9: Just make sure I eat an hour before

Nick: Were you ever told to be within a specific range of body composition? Weight?

Speaker 9: Do you feel pressured to look a certain way and monitor your weight because of it?

Speaker 9: No.
Nick: How do you feel when you get back up after an injury or fall on the field?

Speaker 9: it depends if it’s a bruise then I try to get up right away but if I feel that something is
wrong then I will go off.
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Nick: Does your coach help influence whether or not to play through pain?

Speaker 9: My coach rather me sit out if I am injured

Nick: Would you prioritize the game over your well-being?

Speaker 9: If I were playing a game, then I would prioritize the game more.

Nick: Thank you for your time.