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Making A Difference!
Making A Difference!
A Keynote Speech by Brandi Chastain
transcribed by Jeremy Ruane (May 2007)
Throughout the past week, the inaugural FIFA Com-Unity seminar devoted exclusively to women's football took place at North Harbour Stadium.
The quintet of local female footballers who were among the invited attendees to the four-day seminar - Priscilla Duncan, Maia Jackman, Marlies Oostdam, Jane Simpson and Rebecca Sowden - considered it, in the words of the last-mentioned, “pretty interesting, inspiring and damn exciting”.
They weren't alone. It exceeded my expectations, which were high anyway, so on behalf of the various attendees over the course of the week, I extend a hearty vote of thanks to Michele Cox and her industrious team for putting the whole thing together. Stimulating, refreshing and heartening are just three of the adjectives which can be used to describe the fruits of their labours.
There were numerous highlights throughout the week, but there was one stand-out address which came very much from the heart. On Media Day, delegates were spoken to by Trevor McKewen, Fairfax Media's General Manager - Sport, and Tui McKendrick, Sky Sport's Executive Producer, on the subject of football coverage in their respective fields, print media and TV.
Trevor, in particular, had gone through all the reasons why we struggle to secure any coverage of note in the papers, and while what he was saying was, no doubt, valid from his perspective, one was left to wonder why such seemingly archaic thinking continues to hold sway in the early years of the 21st Century!
They were followed by one of the two special guests at the seminar, Team USA legend Brandi Chastain, who addressed us on the media strategy of the US women's team, and the impact of women's football in her country.
The instant she strayed from the script was one of those magic moments which left all present spellbound, an impassioned plea which was music to the ears of those of us who long to see the women's game given a fair go by the print media.
It was something I wish you had all had the opportunity to hear and share in when it occurred. Just as well someone was thinking of you all, and had his dictaphone at hand lest just such an address took place …
“I've been in many, many games for world championships and Olympic Games, and, truly, they're important. Not because, like you say, that we beat China 5-4 on penalty kicks, but because of what we've done to the fabric of … I was hoping the globe, but I know what we've done to the fabric in America.
“We've changed what we're talking about - the misconceptions about women in sport. That women are viable athletes. That they deserve a place on the field.
“What everybody is using today is the word sacrifice. I don't see it as such - I see it as a choice. That they're making a choice for themselves. That they're strong, intelligent, powerful, gifted, and a necessary part of your culture.
“And I have to be honest with you. Sitting in the back of the room … I've never been one to shy away from conflict so I apologise for what I'm about to say next!” (Cue chuckles from the audience).
“When I hear Trevor speak, I have to say my blood boils. Because I've lived this speak before, eight years ago. When nobody believed. When nobody cared. When they said, `Why should we put it in our papers and on our television screens? There's nobody saying to us right now that we need it'.
“My response is, you're not listening. And that it's very easy to go with what's easy”. (Hearty audience applause).
“I know that you have people you have to answer to as well, as I do, and that sometimes it's very difficult to stand up, and to be different, and to have your voice heard, and to want something that other people think is impossible.
“But that's what makes it so wonderful. At the end of the road, when we stood on that platform, after receiving our medals from Mr Blatter, and we knew that all the things we had been saying, all the things we had been training for, now would become apparent to everybody.
“Now, I don't have to knock on people's doors, and say, `Please listen to me about soccer'. I cannot get them away from me. `Tell me more'. `What can this game do for my daughter and my son and my family?' `Can you please come to my school and teach young kids about this - the power they have to improve their health and wellness through sport?'
“It is not about soccer. It is about life. It is about your culture. It's about half of your population. These women deserve pages in your papers.
“It's easy to show rugby, because it's popular”.
Brandi paused at this point, and Trevor McKewen replied, “Point taken, Brandi. We're more than happy to be proven wrong”. To which Brandi replied, “Thankyou, but no.
“What I want you to understand is that because we are
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a little voice doesn't mean that our voice isn't important. You talk about balancing what people want, and what you offer, when, truly, you are the ones who can dictate what the menu of the diet of your public is.
“They want to eat soccer up. They will devour it, if you only give them a chance. And that is why I'm standing before you today, because what you have coming in the future will change your country.
“It will be seen by countries around the globe, and you will be an example of what is possible. Don't wait until it's happened to get on board. Be visionaries. Have courage. Make a difference.
“I do speeches, and I do clinics for children, and I tell them about what I think are the six components to being a fabulous footballer.
“CHALLENGE. Every day, set goals. Short, medium, long-term. Always be accountable for your actions. Challenge yourself.
“COMPETE. Never ask for a weaker opponent. Always ask for the strongest, because only then will you know what you're made of.
“Realise you belong to a COMMUNITY. And that's what I love about this game, is that it's not one person. Me scoring that goal (the penalty against China)? Ultimately, yes, it was the final result. But it took a roster of women, and a team of coaches, and a behind-the-scenes administration to make that happen. Community.
“CONCENTRATION. We all have the ability to go out to train, and be good footballers. But to be great, you have to be terrific, and understand the necessity to concentrate at the precise moment that is necessary.
“Have a filter. Only allow in what you know will help you be successful. Everything else, let it go - not your issue. So concentrate.
“COURAGE. Have the guts to stand up. To expose yourself. To be criticised. To grow.
“And ultimately, my favourite, as you've seen, is to CELEBRATE. Because if you cannot feel good about yourself, there's no way you can help others feel good about who they are.
“This is what you have before you. What a wonderful opportunity.
“I've been the first a lot of times. The first world champion in women's soccer, in `91 in China. The first Olympic gold medallist (1996). The first repeat World Cup champion (1999). The first gold medal repeat winner (2003). The first professional women's soccer league in the United States (2001).
“Being the first - no one can ever take that away from you. You will be the first, and Heike (Ullrich, German FA Head of Women's Football) said it - forevermore, when she presents something (in relation to the inaugural FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Finals we will host next year), she will say `New Zealand'.
“It is yours. You have a wonderful opportunity to make a huge difference, not only here, but around the world. I've heard this thing a lot today, and yesterday, and the day before - `the Kiwi way'.
“This seems to be very important to you. It is a wonderful chance to share that with the rest of the world. What is it about that that it makes you so special? It shouldn't be a secret.
“So I leave you with this awesome responsibility. And right now, I swear that if there was a game, I would score a million goals, because I am so fired up … if you couldn't tell already! (Amid much laughter).
“My blood is like - I mean I can feel the pressure rising, because this game has given me so many luxuries in life. An education, like Ali Riley - my husband coaches against the team she plays for, so I see her on a regular basis.
“An education. Travel. Culture. Teamwork. Leadership. Communication. The list goes on and on and on. It doesn't just exist for the males in your country, and the young boys who play rugby.
“These women (pointing to the NZ squad members present). Your Prime Minister. They matter. Please, take this responsibility and soar with it. Don't leave any stone unturned. If it takes handing out flyers, get up earlier - hand out more flyers! Because ultimately it all makes a difference.
“I wish you all the best of luck with this. I look forward to coming back. Trevor, I'd love to have a cup of tea with you (more audience laughter).
“Tui, I know you also have a responsibility to your viewers. I've heard that eyes on the screen and the butts on the seats and … but you, too, have the responsibility to show this, because there is a population out there who wants to see it. And you, as a female, can make a difference.
“So I thank you. Have a wonderful afternoon, and I look forward to having some wine and cheese with you later”.
Cue a hearty round of applause, and I guarantee a standing ovation for Brandi Chastain crossed the minds of at least some of those present.
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