Risky Business: Stacey Emmonds on Scoring Big by Playing Your Own Game

Stacey Emmonds is a dynamic figure in the intersection of sports, academia, and women's football advocacy. An alumnus of Loughborough University in the UK, she pursued a full scholarship at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the US, bringing her football passion to an international platform. Stacey’s professional journey includes an instrumental role with Leeds United's men's professional team, where she served as the head of sports science for the academy. Currently positioned at Leeds Beckett University, Stacey leads various sports science initiatives, fostering connections with professional football clubs and empowering the next generation of sporting talent.

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of the "She Who Dares Wins" podcast, we're accompanied by the incredibly driven Stacey Emmonds as she unfolds her journey from being a strong-willed football enthusiast to making significant strides in sports science and coaching. This conversation is a riveting narrative that presents an intimate look into how women navigate and impact the evolving landscape of football.

Stacey captures the essence of daring to challenge norms and overcoming doubts by sharing her experience of transitioning from playing in boys' teams to seizing opportunities abroad in American universities. With a career that has broken barriers in male-dominated football environments, she illustrates the importance of networking, mentorship, and taking calculated risks. Through her experiences with Leeds United and Leeds Beckett University, Stacey sets a powerful example for aspiring women in the sports industry.

The episode delves into Stacey's perspectives on the contemporary status of women's football, emphasizing the progress it has made and the challenges it continues to face. From discussing the advancement of professional contracts to addressing the need for better resource allocation and injury prevention strategies, Stacey offers a frank and insightful discourse on what it means to advocate for women in the game.

Key Takeaways:

• The significance of taking risks and addressing the "what if it goes wrong" mindset, focusing instead on the potential positive outcomes and living without regrets.
• Stacey’s scholarship-driven journey from youth sports in the UK to collegiate football in the US, framing a narrative of perseverance and ambition.
• The transition and difficulties faced by a female professional working within a traditionally male-dominated field like sports science in men's football.
• The evolution of women's football, recognizing both the considerable progress made and the ongoing efforts needed to achieve sustainability and equality.
• The role of male allies in supporting women's journeys in sports, demonstrating the positive impact of inclusive thinking and leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• "Daring is just to kind of push those thoughts to kind of the back of your head and try and go with, well, actually focus on what if this goes right and wanting to kind of, I guess, try and live my life by not having regrets..."
• "I've never had any issues with the players. It was never the players... I guess it was just, unfortunately, they didn't know any different. It was just kind of the norm."
• "While the players are great, they are a bit needy, because they get everything done [for] them..."
• "I'm going to pay for it. So I was like, okay, win, win. Cool. So I went on the B license through the PFA, managed to get on, because I was at Leeds United..."
• "I want to make sure [other team members] get credit for...what they've done. And it's not just me going, 'Look, we've done all this fancy analysis and this kind of thing,' and...take their credit."

Resources:

www.shewhodareswins.com

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