Shelina Zadorsky On Winning Olympic Gold & London Living

Being made captain within six months of joining a club is a sign of the type of qualities that Shelina Zadorsky possesses. Having played in teams across the globe, she now finds herself at the heart of defence for a Spurs side that are determined to defy expectations this season. Initially arriving on loan from Orlando Pride, she was quickly signed on a permanent deal, and is now soaking up all London has to offer off the pitch, while using her experiences to help guide her side, already picking up victories against the likes of Manchester City Women this season.

Let’s go back to day one. What was your childhood like and when did football come into your life?

I feel like my family always loved sports. My dad was always into baseball and American Football and my mum loved basketball and volleyball. My two older sisters played soccer as we called it then. We call it football now [laughs]. I wanted to be like them as a kid. My mum threw me in when I was about four and it became a sport that I couldn’t stop. I was that kid chasing a ball around wherever I went. It was the only sport I dedicated all my time to.

What was it like to grow up in Canada with a love for the game? Could a path to the professional level be visualised?

To be honest, I don’t know if it was until I was in college when it hit me but that was such a natural progression for Canadian players who were looking to continue playing. Most of them go to University in the US, get a scholarship and it goes from there. 

For me when I was at Michigan, that’s when I started to realise what could happen. The NWSL had folded a couple of times but it was coming back and I really wanted to keep progressing with Canada. It was then when I decided to really pursue playing. From Michigan, I went straight to Australia, which was a wild contract to take.

What was football like in Canada as a spectator sport? Where does the game sit on people’s minds over there?

The great thing to see in my lifetime is the Canadian women’s programme. It has been good for quite some time. I think now the men’s programme has seen some progression too. When I was young I looked up to people like Christine Sinclair. Players like her weren’t as visible as players are now but everyone played football growing up. It was one of those sports. The women’s team has been good for so long. Naturally I wish all those who have played the game before I did could get the level of recognition that we do now. 

In Canada there’s so much focus on Hockey – everyone loved it. I didn’t play much hockey; I’m not your typical Canadian. I think that’s why it’s so cool that I’ve been able to live in countries around the world that adore football.

You’ve experienced the game all over the world, so what’s your observation on the state of women’s football right now?

I’d say the progression is slower than I would like in terms of the media and investment that goes into it. As a person, you want that change to be overnight when you look at what is going on in the world of your male counterparts and you can’t help but think that we’re living and breathing very similarly.

Obviously you have to gauge all the revenue and all that comes into it, but now, seeing more investment go into the game, more TV deals, higher attendances, you can tell things are changing.

At the last World Cup I played in, the audience was into the millions and millions but I’d love to see more. I’d love to see our games on TV more, I’d love to see our league and the league below being full-time professional for all clubs and making a good wage. I think that will take time but more and more people are speaking out about it and fighting for more investment. Sports are so important and moving things forward, especially on the female side, for the future is fundamental.

There’s been good moves around the world on an international level with male and female players being paid the same amount. Are there clubs or federations that you would say are best in class right now?

You can’t ignore what the USWNT has done publicly to push for that. With the platforms they have and the individuals in the team standing up for change, it does help create the awareness and buzz around the game, so kudos to them for having the strength to go out and do that. I think it allows other countries to follow suit. You see other teams start to say “hey, they’re fighting for that, why can’t we?”. They have really made that a public thing and it takes courage to stand up and be a team that does that. I’d say they have done what’s needed to start that movement.

On a personal level for you, what still needs to change?

I think when I look at the day to day, across the game, you need the facilities. You want the whole league to be on good grass and play the game we love in a good environment. What I’d love to see is more collaboration between mens and women’s teams to help elevate the women’s side. I think that when I look at a club like Portland in the US, they have the same fans coming to both the men’s and women’s games. They’ve got 15,000 people in every game regardless of gender.

It’s good to see clubs push the message that if you’re going to be a men’s supporter, here’s the women’s game too. Giving a decent wage would at least allow for players to be able to save for the future. We play this game and we want to inspire the next generation and show that this is something they can do. You want it to be a lifestyle that is feasible and you can be successful in that way.

In the men's game at the top, if you get through an academy you can be financially secure for life. On the women’s side, does the ticking clock play on your mind that because of financial reasons you have to think about what follows football?

Yeah, that’s the reality of it. You’ve got to try and make skills along the way that are useful after football. I’d love to be playing football in my seventies [laughs] but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that! So I have to be conscious of the here and now but also think about the future.

Not to be negative but people in the NWSL are saying they have two jobs outside of football so that they can pursue the dream of playing the game. I think to get the best out of us as professionals who want a long career and to give it our all it has to be treated professionally. How great is it that we have players who have become mums and been able to come back into the game? More of that as a possibility is needed – that’s going to be a huge part of the development of the women’s game.

I do think to myself, “where will I be?”…commentary, the business side of the game – it’s definitely a thought that female football players have to have

With all those countries you’ve played in and the experience gathered, did you look at the opportunity to travel as something you wanted football to bring?

100 percent. Coming out of university, my contract in Australia was getting me by. I looked at that and thought, “this is my first contract, it might not be lucrative but it’s giving me a chance to live and play in a great country as well as learn about that side of the world and make great friendships.” I took it all in and appreciated every moment and look at my situation now, I get to live and play football in London. That’s amazing.

For me it’s about being present enough to enjoy life outside of football as well. I think it’s hard to get that balance but it’s something I’ve got better at. I want to experience everything about the culture that I’m in. Sweden was amazing too – living in Washington, Orlando, Florida … London is definitely up there now.

How would you describe the lifestyle of a contemporary female player in comparison to when you started?

I guess the crazy thing is that it can vary so much depending on your own situation. I love that the season runs well with the FIFA windows as well as it means I can come back and represent my country as well as give my all to Spurs.

Living in one of the best cities in the world, I’ve just been taking it all in – the food, the shopping, the architecture and all it has to offer. I feel like we make the most of the time that we get, which isn’t much, but we make the most of it. I think it all comes back to the people you meet along the way. I think that’s what’s been so special.

What elements of London life jump out to you most that you’d still like to tick off?

It’s the simple things. Hopping on the tube and going into central London … being able to try a new Sushi restaurant or being able to go to the shops or try a new coffee shop … See some of the touristy sites too – I still enjoy all that side of it. There’s still a lot more to discover. I want to go to the theatre and do all those kinds of things too.

How much have those experiences opened your eyes and enabled you to grow as a person?

Absolutely. It’s really cool to be inspired by the people around you. I love all my football friends and those relationships I’ve made but it’s even cool to just observe. I love people watching or going to arty places and seeing independent things like a boutique shop. I found a really cool vintage store recently that has a lot of cool pieces.

I think there’s so many people with so many different styles here which is really great. It helps to share the same language. I feel like I can be myself here and not an outsider.

Touching on fashion and your tastes, that vintage exploration … tell us about that…

I’ve always been all over the map. I wouldn’t say I’m defined by one look or taste. I’ve always been into finding pieces that maybe other people don’t have. I like to have that mix of a nice thing mixed with something more vintage or second hand. There’s definitely a bit of a mix going on – as much as like to dress down, I love to dress up and do that side of things too. Similarly, I love to be in comfy sweats and blend that in too. I love to see how people interpret style. I’d like to learn and try new things there. Especially being in London and seeing that scene some more.

Who does it best in the game?

If you want shoes, for sure Kadeisha Buchanans closet. Then there’s players like Shanice Van De Sanden who is out there with her style. It’s both wild and boujee – I love it! Then people like Sydney LeRoux, she’s a good friend and always exploring new things too and does it so well. It’s obviously an individual thing but it’s cool to see how people use their own platforms to showcase who they are.

You mentioned the way the seasons fall. To go from winning the Olympics and straight into a new season, that must make you incredibly motivated. How has that gold medal reset your standards?

I think it’s always such a wild journey when you come back from such a massive tournament. For me, it almost lit a fire for me to get even more out of myself. I didn’t play all the minutes that I had hoped to in the Olympics but that’s just part of football. I learnt a lot about myself through that process and I made an impact when my opportunity came and also made an impact when I wasn’t on the pitch.

I think that helped me grow on and off the pitch and it really did give me a fire to come back and be the best version of me I possibly can for Spurs. I felt lucky to come back into an environment and be so received. I think that’s something special we have here.

The gold medal was quite surreal and I’m kind of riding that energy into looking at  what else I can do to impact the season we have with Spurs right now. I want to continue to elevate. Big football moments are best shared with your team and I want to be able to do that here.

With Canada you have people like Kadeisha Buchanan in the dressing room. She’s very good at visually showing her personality. Do you get inspired by people like that?

Absolutely. With Canada we have such a group of people who want everyone to be themselves. You look at people in the squad and respect them for being brave in standing up for who they are. We have courageous players who be who they want to be and with that in mind, we’re a team who is extremely inclusive.

I’ve played with Kadeisha for so many years and she has always brought who she is, consistently, always. I think as people we’re always evolving but I learn bits and pieces from everyone. That gives me the confidence to be myself. I’m a bit of a crazy and energetic person but also I’ve been able to add a fearless and competitive side to who I am along the way. You get to learn about yourself when others truly are themselves.

With the highs, there’s also the lows of course. What would you say are the moments that made you or have helped define your journey?

Life in general, not just in football, everyone has their own family stories and their own personal struggles. When I think back to a younger time in my 20s, I struggled more with anxiety. It was at a time in my life when I was questioning what I was doing a lot. I think I was a bit of a people pleaser at the time. You get to a point in life when you realise that you have to please yourself before you can please anyone else.

All the mentors I’ve had, all the friends that I’ve had, they’ve helped me realise the importance of feeling comfortable in my skin, allowing me to be that confident person that I can be.

With football in mind, I didn’t make the senior international team after my first cap in 2013 and that was a point where I took a step back and realised the work I’d need to do to get back into the team. I moved abroad and worked my way back in and was part of the squad by 2015. The next year we went to Rio for the Olympics. I think that whole journey of having to fight for that spot and going on that journey to find myself in that sense.

Such accolades but talked about so casually. You’ve achieved such incredible things. How do you keep yourself going through the mental challenges given there’s such highs and lows?

I think it’s a cool question because I think when you reflect, and I am quite a reflective person, I think it is mind blowing. There was a point in my life when I didn’t know whether I could make football a career or what was going to happen.

I’ve been the type of person who just embraces everything. I’ve always given everything I can to everything I’m doing. That has helped me get the very best out of that given moment. But when you’re in that reflective state and you look back it makes you so grateful. For me personally, to have experienced so much of the world, to go to tournaments, be with different teams, meet so many great people and share so many top moments, I’m seriously so grateful for it. I know that people would love to be in my position and that’s not to say it didn’t take a hell of a lot of work, because it truly did but I’m forever grateful and conscious of making the best out of any present moment.

People say hard work and graft but what about the real blood sweat and tears that goes into getting where you have?

I always think about the word resilience. Life and football will knock you down and you can either beat yourself down further or you can look in the mirror and say “what do you actually want” – it’s about being your own biggest fan for me through the hard times. It’s that mix of that mental resilience and that fight that keeps you trying and that humility to tell someone that you need help, when you do need it. Whether it’s in a football environment or not, you realise that life isn’t about doing things on your own. We all need support. I’ve been so grateful for that as well. You have to make your own luck too.

Just touching on that journey, all that graft and you find yourself in a changing room with an Olympic medal round your neck. What goes through your head?

With it being my second Olympics and knowing it would be some people’s last, it was so, so meaningful seeing some of our players take that moment. We have so many players who have worked so hard for Canadian football so to have that reward is incredible. There’s so many players who have been so influential on the women’s game in Canada.

It was just a moment that I have to dedicate to so many other players. All those players who have paved the way for us to be able to do what we do. I’m so proud to be part of such a special and united team. We’ll be friends for life after this and that bond is what got us to that gold medal position. I’ve been part of a bronze medal winning team and now a gold medal winning team and I can celebrate myself and my own journey for that too. Hopefully it doesn’t stop here.

Looking back at Spurs. What’s the dressing room like and what is it like to be a player in the top flight of English football?

I feel like we have a great dressing room. There’s so many people that make me laugh hard as well as some great DJs in there. We’ve got people who are mad into their tiktoks, people who do their own thing too. There’s a good mix of personality and it brings out a strong team spirit. I think that has shown in our first games this season that a bond like that can get you a long way.

There’s always a lot of banter and good energy. It’s been funny for me to see stuff happen like if we get early to a game some players will start playing cricket in the dressing room, which is a new one for me. I can say that we have such a good group and we’ve added even more good people to it recently. It’s an exciting place we find ourselves in I’d say.

That win against Man City would reflect what you’re saying there. Has that reset your standards at all?

I think that was a defensive performance that from front to back took contributions from everyone. We set that standard that says we need everyone. Everyone who starts, everyone on the bench, all the support – we need that level of one-ness.

Starting the season as we have gives you that belief that on any given day, if you turn up and play as hard as you can then anything can happen. It’s always going to be a hard game against big teams but we’re showing that the level of this league is getting better and better across the board.

What’s it like to be a leader and captain the club?

I’ve always been a hype woman for sure. I love celebrating people’s success. One of the reasons I love football is the way you work together as a team for a shared goal. I find that so meaningful. Getting the best out of other people whilst challenging myself to be the best is something I enjoy.

Vocally I’ve always been comfortable to speak up and say when we need to improve but also conscious in being encouraging. I keep learning from other leaders and take personal experience into any group I’m part of. Not one style works for everyone and I think a lot comes from truly understanding individual characters. I take the time to do that and I think it’s a good way of working. That’s my leadership style I would say. I like to be a player that can really help elevate other people.

Looking forward, after everything you have done, where do you set your short and long term aspirations?

I want to bring Spurs to a level that is consistently competing for the top spots in our league. If that takes stepping stones then so be it but I want us to be in the top half of the league and keep moving up. We have the quality and dedication to do that. With Canada, we have the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

I want to be the best centre back I could possibly be and I want to be there. I’ve got a lot of strengths and a few things I want to work on. I feel like I’m at a really good point in my career to keep improving and fine tuning. I’m so glad that I play in England in the WSL because I’m tested all the time. I think that is making me a better defender.

Off the pitch I want to keep branching out. I want to actively explore fashion and football. I’d like to get involved in commentary and the media too. I also work with a mentorship programme in Canada and I’d like to do more of that. It’s important to keep developing myself off the field. I’d love to see my family soon too!

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