BY SCOTT
HADDOW
In soccer, Sudbury's Cara Smith has made a name for herself in
Ontario thanks to her tough defence and no-nonsense play.
The 21-year-old has become a force for the Laurentian
University women's soccer team, earning three OUA All-Star
selections.
Smith's talents have made her the first Lady Vees soccer player
to be selected to play for Team Canada at the upcoming
International University Sports Foundation (FISU) Summer
Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand from Aug. 8 to 18.
Smith was a highly sought after prospect after wrapping up her
high school career with Lasalle Secondary School in 2003.
Universities from Canada and the United States fought over her
playing rights, with Niagara University winning her services.
Smith eventually ended up back in Sudbury to play for
Laurentian.
Blessed with remarkable defensive ability, Smith is a two-time
First Team OUA All-Star in 2004-05 and 2006-07 and a Second
Team All-Star in 2005-06.
Smith has one brother, Cale, 24, and one sister Christie, 26.
She played fours years of Sudburnia soccer followed by four
years with the Sudbury Panhellenic teams and two years with the
Sudbury Canadians. She enters her fourth year at Laurentian
this fall. Recently, Smith took time out to talk to Northern
Life reporter Scott Haddow about representing Canada, soccer
and life in general.
SH: Making team Canada, what does it mean to you in
your life?
CS: Especially as a student, it is a great honour to go to the
FISU games; there is no better way to finish off your
university experience. Getting to meet and enjoy this with
other student athletes from Canada and around the world is also
really special and exciting.
SH: What are your expectations for this event? And what
do you want to prove and accomplish with this? What do you hope
to gain from the experience?
CS: Obviously we want to come away with a medal, particularly
gold, (laughs) but for me personally I just want to play hard
and do my part in helping the team perform at its best.
Getting experience playing at this level of soccer is also
something I look forward to achieving and of course, having a
good time.
SH: What are your thoughts on representing
Canada?
CS: Representing Canada sounds so funny to me. Ever since I was
small I have wanted to compete for Canada, although back then
it was for swimming. I think every athlete - at some point in
his or her life - wants to compete for his or her country, and
now that it is happening, it's a little surreal. It truly is an
honour and a privilege to go for Canada, especially at a time
when Canadian soccer, especially the women, is garnering and
accomplishing so much.
SH: Would you say your selection is a strong reflection
of the entire soccer system in Sudbury?
CS: Sudbury for me has been a developing ground for many
sports. I am taking with me everything I have learned from my
years of playing soccer in Sudbury as well as other places. Our
youth programs now are much more than what they were when I was
younger and it is great to see so much local talent grow and
develop into such amazing athletes.
SH: What has been the biggest sacrifice you've made to
get to this point in your career and was it worth it?
CS: I have been fortunate enough that I have not had to
sacrifice a lot over the years. Throughout high school I was
lucky enough to be able to compete in a variety of sports and
explore many different options, as well as get the education I
have always wanted. School has always come first for me, and
soccer, as well as other sports, has been my relaxation. If
anything was sacrificed it didn't occur because of sports, but
instead from the many hours, especially late hours, of studying
and homework. It was all worth it in the end because I love
where I am right now and what I am doing, and always find time
and ways to have lots of fun.
SH: What has soccer given you to be grateful for?
CS: Soccer has allowed me to meet some really great people,
many of which are my closest and best friends. It taught
me the value of friendships and teamwork, as well as guide me
into a career that I know I will love simply because I love
working with people. Soccer is amazing because it is the
world's sport, and everyone can enjoy it no matter how
different, for the simple common love of sport/soccer.
SH: Who do you look up to most in the sports world and
why?
CS: I really respect anyone who has had to overcome any form of
adversity in their life, to achieve their goals. I have a
special respect for anyone who has devoted their life not only
to sport, but also to furthering their education.
SH: What do you feel you will add to Team
Canada?
CS: I work hard and have fun.
SH: You went to the NCAA, but came back to OUA. What
did you learn from that experience? How did it change your
life?
CS: Coming back from the NCAA showed me that OUA and CIS have
some really great athletes. A lot of emphasis is put on
scholarships and NCAA schools when you are an athlete, however
emphasis should also be placed on other attributes. Education
should always be a priority. When I came back from the
NCAA I got into a very special program that I really
love. There are great players in both the NCAA as well as
the OUA and CIS, and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity
to play in both.
SH: How has the LU program impacted your life?
CS: The LU program is great because we have lots of community
support, and are a very close-knit group.
SH: Outside of sports, what do you like to do and
why?
CS: I am currently in my clinical placement at the North
Eastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, working towards
becoming a radiation therapist. (12 month clinical from May to
May). When I can find the time, I enjoy going to camp, having
fun with friends & family, and traveling. Clinical
takes up a lot of time and I used to volunteer a lot but don't
have the time anymore. I am looking forward to helping
organize another Kick for the Cure event being held on
Saturday, Sept. 15 at Laurentian, where all proceeds and
donations go to breast cancer research.
SH: Any final thoughts?
CS: My family has always been really great support for me, and
my brother and sister are defiantly people I look up to. They
started me in swimming and soccer and have them to thank for
that.
