The Impact Soccer In Peterborough Has Had On One Woman's Life & What A Pro Team Coming Here Would Mean To Her
/Beth McClelland heard about a group trying to bring a pro soccer team to Peterborough, Electric City FC, and submitted this article about the impact soccer has had on her life and its potential here to evolve…
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I used to run as a means of escape. I would run away from anxiety, stress, and depression.
If the feelings persisted, I would just sprint harder and faster. I would run until my stomach felt queasy and my lungs burned. In those moments, running felt like both a chore and a remedy from my poor mental health.
I’ve been playing soccer for as long as I can remember and officiating as a referee since age 12. When I’m on the field, I don’t really think about running.
October 2019: Beth McClelland assistant refereeing at the men's Ontario College Athletic Association Provincial Championships at Fleming College. (Photo by Peterborough area District Referee Coordinator, Michael Smith.)
Movement flows naturally and I feel at home. Over time, soccer, and in particular refereeing has taught me the power of running towards something instead of running away.
It may sound cheesy but I really think the Electric City FC initiative in Peterborough brings with it the capacity for other soccer fans, players, coaches and match officials to discover this same power within.
2019 League1 Women's Final, Beth (at far right) was an assistant referee.
In 2017, I was nominated by the Peterborough District Soccer Referee Coordinator, Michael Smith, to officiate in the North American Indigenous Games.
I had no idea that tournament would eventually spur opportunities to referee across Ontario, in League1, and ultimately to travel to Edmonton last November to referee in the women’s National College Athletic Association Soccer Championships.
As a female from a small city, it feels pretty amazing to have represented Ontario Soccer at a number of these events.
But none of this happened overnight.
Just like athletes, match officials train, participate in group instruction, get feedback from assessors and mentors, and watch clips to improve their skills. Without a gentle push from the Peterborough soccer community, I don’t know I would have ever had the confidence to discover my officiating goals and run towards them instead of running away.
2019 National College Athletic Association Championships: Beth (in jacket) was fourth official in the gold medal match.
People joke that there’s “something in the water” in Peterborough, but when it comes to soccer and the sense of community, I really believe it’s true.
In Peterborough, I’ve played pickup soccer games with complete strangers who have eventually become close friends. I’ve grown up with a community of referees, coaches and players who feel like a second family. I’ve even lived with teammates from an indoor league. There’s an energy behind soccer in Peterborough that feels exciting and unique.
I don’t look down on soccer in Peterborough. This city is small but mighty. With two college and university teams, highly skilled OWSL and OSL teams and a commitment to share a passion for soccer with youth at the grassroots level, it’s safe to say that Peterborough’s got game.
U-17 boys competitive soccer exhibition tournament at Trent U April 2019: Beth (middle) with her assistant referees Liam Williston and James Montague. (Photo by Peterborough area District Referee Coordinator, Michael Smith.)
