Last Tuesday, the U13 and U14 Impact teams had an unusual meeting. Elizabeth Hosking, a promising young Canadian half-pipe snowboarder, was at Centre Nutrilait with her coaches to talk about high-level sport, which led to interesting exchanges between young Impact players and this athlete from the same age group.
Hosking already had a clear goal when she was younger: she wanted an Olympic medal. Currently second with the Canadian team, she could get closer to her dream at the next Games, in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.
Despite the differences between the two sports, high-level soccer and snowboarding athletes need some of the same characteristics. On top of talent, it’s commitment that will push the athlete as close as possible to his goal.
“Commitment and perseverance are everything,” said Elizabeth Hosking. “When you come back from an injury, for example, your commitment helps you come back and win a big competition. You need to focus on your goal and never give up.”
After a presentation on her competition, her schedule and how she deals with studies as a 15-year-old high-level athlete, the young Impact players became curious and had many questions.
“It was really cool and interactive,” added the half-pipe snowboarder. “I wasn’t expecting them to know that much about me.”
“She told us that to get to the highest level, you need to work,” said Charles-Émile Brunet, Impact U13 player. “She also said that school work was important. With all the sacrifices she made at that age, she’s a good example. She’s in sport-études like us and travels, like us, so it’s similar.”
After questions and exchanges, the young Impact players took the opportunity to ask her autograph. We could see her on our screens in a few months, representing Canada proudly.
