USL Feature
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – Ashleigh Gunning might be the busiest woman in soccer. After spending another season with the Charlotte Lady Eagles this year Gunning set off on a globe-hopping adventure. Gunning started the 2011 season with the W-League’s Lady Eagles, but in June, a big opportunity presented itself when WPS power magicJack came calling.
After the 2011 campaign with the south Florida-based professional outfit, Gunning packed her bags and headed to Sweden to play for Eskilstuna United. With the Swedish season ending, Gunning is now heading to the other W-League in Australia, for a second season with Adelaide United. Between all her jet setting we had a chance to let Gunning to reflect upon her crazy 2011 season.
You’ll be working on your fourth team in only a few months soon with the move to Australia, can you talk a bit about the differences between W-League, WPS, Sweden, and Australia? What makes each league unique?
Ashleigh Gunning: WPS is, in my opinion, the top level of women’s professional football in the world. There are teams in other leagues around the world that can compete against teams in the WPS but as an entire league I think that it is consistently the top level of soccer. MagicJack is no exception to this, the level of talent and ability on that team is awesome!
My opinion of each of the other league will depend on my personal experience in those leagues and they have been drastically different. In the W-league in the States, I have been on very successful teams, making the playoffs each year that I’ve played. In Australia, my team really struggled to get good results and in Sweden we won almost every game we played. Overall, I think that these three leagues are fairly comparable; some strong teams and lots of talented players. Most importantly, they provide the opportunity for women’s soccer to continue growing internationally so they should all be encouraged to continue growing and improving so there are more opportunities for future generations.
What was the toughest thing to get used to about living and playing in Australia and Sweden when you got there?
AG: Having the opportunities to play in Sweden and Australia have been such amazing experiences for which I am so thankful. I don’t think that it would be fair for me to even think of complaining about a single part of it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have two great clubs to play for with great coaches, teammates, and in great cities. Some people might think that the language in Sweden would be a negative but I think that it’s a great opportunity to learn another language, plus everyone in Sweden speaks English, so that makes it a lot easier. Other people have asked me if it’s really hard to be away from family and friends in the states. I have such supportive and great family and friends that they make it possible to stay in contact. That and I am so thankful for technology! Skype might be my best friend.
You’ve been with the Charlotte Lady Eagles for some time, can you talk a bit about the organization and how you feel about playing there?
AG: Having the opportunity to play with the Charlotte Eagles organization has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Our W-League team and the men’s USL PRO team are owned and operated by Missionary Athletes International. The men’s team is the only Christian professional team in the world. We are like a normal W-League team in that we have training five days a week, we compete, we want to win, in every sense we are a team, but we also have sports ministry training, community outreach, and small group bible study during the season. I understand that it’s not the right fit for everyone but for young women who are looking to grow in their faith, grow as a women, and grow as a soccer player I honestly believe it’s the best experience for which one can ask!
Have you seen the W-League change or grow in the time you’ve been playing in it?
AG: I have so much respect for the W-League, the USL and every team that competes in the W-League. It’s such a unique league that allows college players to play with older and more experienced players. I think it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. With WUSA folding in the early 2000s and WPS being so unsteady the W-League has really stood the test of time and been stable for women soccer players in the states. So, I don’t think that I have necessarily seen the W-League change, but that’s a positive.
After the Australian season, what’s next? Planning to have a bit of an offseason?
AG: Offseasons are for babies! No, I’m joking! I will be able to take a little time off for my body to rest and spend some quality time with my wonderful family and friends. I hope to have the opportunity to play in Europe again next season, God willing. I will just enjoy what I am a part of right now and trust that I will be exactly where I am supposed to be next season.
Making it in women’s soccer in no easy feat, what do you chalk your success so far up to?
AG: I recently heard a good friend of mine say, ‘Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.’ There are so many women’s soccer players in this world who are hands-down more talented than me but thanks to an amazing family/upbringing and exceptional experiences I’ve been able to put things in perspective. I understand that talent alone cannot make or break a career. I have often been told, and I take it as a compliment, that my strongest attributes as a soccer player are my leadership abilities, positive attitude, and work ethic. I’ve had setbacks and injuries but having the drive and support to continue working hard has absolutely been the reason that I am able to be living my dreams right now.
What are your career goals?
AG: Soccer-wise my career goals are to help teams compete and help younger players grow as women and footballers; pouring into my teammates really motivates me. As long as I can compete at a high level, have fun, and feel that I am helping someone else grow to achieve their goals and dreams I will continue playing. Outside of soccer, I am currently in the last year of completing my Masters in Sports Leadership at Northeastern University in Boston through an online program. Upon completing my masters and my playing career, I hope to begin a career as a sports leadership consultant and continue pouring into other athletes and teams to help them achieve their goals.