Christina Morelli

Mentor

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

 

A little bit about me: I am a fifth year kinesiology and psychology student at York University.  I have been the captain of the varsity soccer team for two years.  I have been playing soccer for most of my life!  While enjoying other sports such as track and field, skiing and skating, I have always had a passion to play soccer.  I am a mentor for first year athletes at York University, assisting first year recruits in the dramatic change that is from high school to university.

 

What qualities in a teammate for sport or work do you look for? Why?

 

Qualities that make an outstanding teammate are that they are committed to the team and that they play for their teammates.  When a player is committed to going to train and play games, it benefits the entire team.  During competitions, when a player plays for their teammates they do what they can to support their teammates on the field and they take responsibility for the mistakes they make and put in the work to fix them.

 

How has sport helped you be a better leader? How do you define leadership?

 

Sport has always been a part of my life.  I have had many experiences playing soccer and other sports, in which I learn from my mistakes in order to perform better the next time.  It is these experiences that have helped me become a better leader.  As a leader, I can help my teammates solve problems using strategies I have learned from personal experience in similar situations.  Being a leader means showing what it takes to be a good teammate and to support your teammates on and off the field.

 

What is one piece of advice would you have for young female athletes today?

 

The one piece of advice I have for young female athletes today is to learn to play as many sports as you can, and have fun doing it.  Each sport is unique in its own way. Specific skills, techniques and strategies are needed to excel in a sport.  Skill, techniques and strategies which are different for each sport. When playing new sports, new skills are learned which can then be transferred to other sports or activities.  It is also very important to enjoy what you are doing! When you are having fun you will want to keep on participating!