USL Feature Series: Keep an Eye on This Girl
During the next few months USLsoccer.com will highlight the on-the-field stars of the W-League by getting to know their personalities off the field. Up next: Rebecca Nolin of the Atlanta Silverbacks. Nolin is the on-field general for the Silverbacks and guided the team to the 2011 W-League Championship, the first in Silverbacks history. Her six-year service to the club was briefly interrupted in 2010 when she joined the Atlanta Beat of WPS. At the collegiate level Nolin won the Division II National Championship with Kennesaw State University in 2003, where she is currently the assistant coach of the women’s team. Before attending Kennesaw State University, Nolin played with Chelsea Ladies FC in England.
Full name: Rebecca Nolin
Club: Atlanta Silverbacks
Head Coach: Chris Adams
Born: Kowloon, Hong Kong, April 12, 1983
Nickname: Becks
Position: Center Mid
Inspired me the most: I have a lot of people who have inspired me, too many to mention names! Every teammate I’ve played with has inspired me in some way, whether it be their attitude, motivation, discipline, knowledge, or confidence. All of this has rubbed off on me! All my inspirations come from soccer people.
Playing strengths: Heading and communication
Needs a bit of work: Haha umm…touch, left foot, speed of play, fitness... shall I go on?
Favorite player(s): Zinedine Zidane and Paul Scholes
Tell us about your coach: Chris Adams! He lets us get on with it and play but keeps us grounded and focused at the same time.
Biggest career highlight: I have 3! Winning the Div II National Championship in 2003 - my freshman year at Kennesaw State University, playing professionally for the Atlanta Beat in WPS 2010 and winning the USL W-League National Championship in 2011 with the Atlanta Silverbacks!
Biggest practical joker: On the Silverbacks? We don’t really play practical jokes but there are some funny people on this team. Stacey Balaam, Libby Guess, Ronda Brooks, Ashley Baker. I love people who can make me laugh.
Advice I would give to young girls following in my footsteps: Hard work pays off! Don’t let ANYONE ruin your confidence and always absorb feedback. Be a student of the game. I have learned more about the game in my 20s than I did in my teens. I think this is because I never had a good coach until college.
I’m stranded on a small island. Five things I’d want with me: My dog Nellie, husband Matt, iPhone, food and water :0) I need 6! My cat Kitteh has to come also. Don’t ask me to take the iPhone off the list either. That isn’t happening.
Tunes I’m listening to: You won’t have heard of it - Sasha Invol2ver (progressive house).
Best movie seen recently: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I had to go by myself because my hubby didn’t want to. I did, however, drag him to Hunger Games but that wasn’t as good as the book!
Retro item I wish would make a comeback: This is a tough one. I don’t have one because I welcome new, but my husband loves old stuff and he said “80s commercials”. Not really an item though is it? Oh well.
Favorite movie: Again, I have a few. Harry Potter…Pah! Just kidding. I love action movies so The Bourne Trilogy, Oceans Trilogy, Hook, The Fugitive, Runaway Jury, Taken…
Describe yourself in five words: Loud, kind, positive, happy and fortunate
Finish this!
I can’t get enough of… the TV show Castle. Stumbled upon it a few months ago and had to buy all the seasons.
I spend my money on… bills and a few goodies here and there.
My fashion style is… athletic/casual.
Technology and social media is… what gets me into trouble at home.
Over time I’ve learned… to wait and reply to certain things. My first response isn’t always the best.
Sometimes I need to… eat chocolate. Emphasis on NEED.
Every day I try to… catch green lights all the way to work.
I’m thankful for… the opportunity I’ve been given in America.
My biggest influence… the people around me in my everyday life.
I used to… be very lazy and rely on my natural talent.
I always… have to have a coffee in the morning.
I have a friend… she’s very furry and called Nellie.
I play a bit like… I like to think I play a bit like Paul Scholes except I can actually tackle!
If I wasn’t playing soccer I’d be… in jail, probably.
In five years I see myself… a head coach at a top college program with a beautiful family.