Q and A with Ronnie Woodard

We sat down with Tennessee Soccer Club’s Ronnie Woodard who just returned home from a week away at National Team Camp as the United States U-16 Women's Youth National Team Assistant Coach.

TSC:  What is your role at TSC?

Ronnie:  I am currently the Director of Membership Services and an ECNL Coach.

TSC:  Tell us about your coaching background.

Ronnie:  I started my coaching career at Duke as a volunteer GK coach, moved to NC State as an assistant coach. My first full time college assistant coaching position was at UNC Charlotte. My head coaching positions were College of Charleston and then Vanderbilt University. I have coached at various clubs, ODP state teams, regional teams, and also have worked with the US Soccer National Youth program. 

TSC:  How did you get involved with the US Women’s National Team Program?

Ronnie:  I took the US Soccer Scout license and my US Soccer A license, and began scouting for our youth national teams. Through those conversations and experiences, I was fortunate to get an invitation into the youth national team program.

TSC:  What was the biggest thing you noticed in your first National Team camp?

Ronnie:  The professionalism of camp is outstanding.  The attention to detail from every member of the coaching staff, and support staff to provide a healthy, supportive environment for players to grow is inspiring.

TSC:  Tell us about your experience as an assistant coach at National Team camp.

Ronnie:  The experience has been invaluable to my professional development. The expectations of each camp to provide a positive environment for our players to be challenged and grow is the most important detail. Teaching the players healthy habits, self-reflection, 

team culture and accountability as well as individual and collective improvements. There is a very high level of attention to detail to help provide feedback for the players and prepare them for future national team experiences.

TSC:  What has been your favorite moment so far coaching for US Soccer?

Ronnie:  I have thoroughly enjoyed the culture and self-reflection parts of US Soccer camp. To be clear, all aspects of the camp provide a challenge and a growing experience for me. However, the opportunity to teach life skills through soccer has been a highlight. Helping players learn how to self-reflect about their personal performance, and then create personal development plans, and then how to take ownership of their personal sport journey is both inspiring and motivating. And these PDP’s include physical, technical, tactical and emotional reflections. So, all parts of a player is involved, which makes it very exciting and fulfilling for me.

TSC:  What can you bring back to TSC from your experiences with the US Youth National Team?

Ronnie:  EVERYTHING! I return from camp fully energized, armed with new ideas to share with my team and our TSC program.

TSC:  Thank you, Ronnie. We are excited about learning more having you continue to develop tremendous young women at TSC.

Ronnie:  Thank you, I really loved the experience! 

A special thank you and congratulations to Ronnie for sharing her experience with the USWYNT Program with us.