OAKES in the Offseason

What an amazing experience being part of the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer season has been! I’m a part of history. I’m a PRO athlete. But now it’s the offseason, and so what next?

The difficulty as a player within this first-year league is that there is very little to count on once the season ends. And with mostly year-to-year contracts, players at this point have not yet re-signed with their teams; they don’t get paid in the offseason either.

We all anticipate returning to play in the league next season, but that’s not for sure. We anticipate returning to the same city and team, but that’s not for sure either. And we seek a means to make a living for the time being, but are limited in job choices due to the fact that we’ll hopefully be leaving to begin the next WPS season within six months.

Even as we returned home in mid-August, many players still did not have clear plans for themselves. I, personally, shared the same unsettling feelings of uncertainty concerning my offseason game plan, or lack thereof. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, or where I was going to live, or how I was going to continue my training. I just believed that I’d be able to figure it out.

It’s been almost two months since my last game with the Chicago Red Stars and this is what I’ve figured out so far:

#1:  I’ve moved into a great apartment in my hometown of LA that I’ll be subletting through February. I get my own bedroom, private bathroom, and walk-in closet, all at a reduced rate. I live with an adorable Japanese student that’s been in the US for only two years. Her accent and modest demeanor are absolutely endearing. Optimistically, I don’t foresee any roommate conflicts.

#2:  I’ve begun an incredible 6-week yoga teacher certification training program at the InFocus Wellness Institute in Santa Monica , CA . In just two weeks, I, already, have experienced revelational moments and predict this to be a transformational and life-changing experience. (More on this Yoga Naga teacher training to come!)

#3: I’ve begun running private soccer lessons and have begun working soccer clinics for the Malibu AYSO league. I love working with kids, particularly girls, whom I can also mentor and inspire as a role model. In fact, I’ve begun discussions of possible collaborations with charities to put on free soccer clinics in LA, while also taking steps to put on my own specialty camps/clinics in the future. So be on the look-out for that!

I’m feeling awesome so far!! I have been able to fit in time at the gym to maintain a strength/rehab regiment as well as a few ballwork/skills sessions per week. I am determined to not lose sight of my top priority, which is to be ready to perform next season.

I’m a firm believer in nurturing your body and allowing yourself time to rest. So my current training schedule will intensify as the next season nears. Meanwhile, I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of others through education, empowerment and compassion, so I hope to also develop a network that will allow me to utilize my knowledge and experience in order to make that difference an ongoing reality.

I’d love to hear your ideas on what the soccer community needs and/or how we, as pro soccer players, could contribute to your community in any way.  Have any ideas?

~Jill Oakes