Brittany Persaud, who played for the Dayton Dutch Lions Women’s team in 2011 in the USL W-League, signed a 3 month professional contract in Sweden, Europe. We asked her some questions about this new experience and how she got to sign a professional soccer player contract in Europe.
What club did you sign for?
Tolo IF / Kungsbacka DFF
How important is soccer for you? Has it always been a dream for you to play professionally in Europe?
Soccer is a big part of my life, you can ask anyone who knows me that without it I would be lost. I have been playing it since I was 4 years old, and from a very young age my dream has always been to play professional soccer, so I am very happy that this opportunity came up. Soccer is almost like my escape from the world, when I am playing it, it's almost like nothing else matters at the time. To be honest though I wasn't worried where I played, just wanted to find a team that actually wanted me, and then go from there. Sometimes you have to start small and work yourself up the ladder. I was lucky enough for this opportunity to come up, and for it to be in Europe. So far I like it here a lot and am excited for what this opportunity has to offer me both on and off the field.
How did the experience of playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions in the W League help you achieve this dream?
Playing for the Dayton Dutch lions helped me stay game fit before my college season my senior year, which in turn helped me play during that season. And overall playing well, helped me get a team interested. Also, just the experience of playing with different girls from different colleges helped me learn new styles of players and how to play with different styled players.
Any advice for our young talents in the Dayton Dutch Lions youth academy?
As for advice, I'd say one make sure you are fit. When I first got to college once I transferred I learned once I got fit, that before I didn't know what fit was. And I have to thank my college coaches and strength coach at Wright State University for that. They helped me get there, which in turn allowed me to take my soccer to another level. Also, go out and train on your own, shooting, dribbling skills, juggling. When I was younger any chance I had I was playing soccer. I'd play 5-6 indoor game in a row in leagues with teams older than me and just jump on the field when they needed players. Just go out and have fun, and play as much as you can.
The Dayton Dutch Lions wishes Brittany Persaud the best of luck with this adventure overseas and with her soccer career.
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC W-team is still looking for a few more players for the 2012 season. In case you are interested in playing for the team please contact Sid van Druenen: s.vandruenen@daytondutchlionsfc.com.