- Arun Budhathoki — The Brunswickan (University of New Brunswick)
- in AUS, Profiles, Sports
FREDERICTON (CUP) — For 19-year old left-fullback Erin Bethune, playing soccer has been a close relationship.
“If it wasn’t for soccer I’d be very lost,” she said. “The soccer team has helped me in many ways, even to the extent of doing course work with my teammates.”
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Her dad is a coach, and as she grew up playing the game, she saw it as a way to spend more time with him — and to play the sport too.
It has also made her become organized and helped to manage time effectively.
“I cannot think of my university life being more fun than playing for the soccer team,” said Bethune.
Growing up in Ancaster, Ont., Bethune began playing soccer for a house league team at the age of five, although her mom tells her she hated playing it and never wanted to go.
After playing soccer for a while she decided to take a year off.
Bethune started playing competitively at the age of six and considers her parents to be role models. In her childhood days her training was mainly extra-conditioning with the team she was involved.
She also played for other teams for showcase games under different coaches and played in the United States as well.
What brought the fullback to the University of New Brunswick was its proximity to home, and the fact that a former coach had come in contact with her.
“I played every sport while growing up but I reached a point where I had to choose one game. I chose soccer because of the team aspect,” said Bethune.
In her third year of kinesiology studies, and with the soccer team, Bethune feels they are a close team and likes the friendship nature with her teammates.
“We’re really set for next season, although two girls are leaving us,” she said. “Next year I feel we’ll get into playoffs as we’re competitive enough to face any opponent.”
Bethune feels her strength is to be a team player rather than just an individual. Next year she is going to the University of Chichester in southern England for a year and plans to get contacts with coaches and possibly play soccer in England, where it is known of course as football.
“I’d watch Premier League definitely,” she said, “And soccer has always been close to my heart, family and friends. It’s kept me close to people whom I love.”
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