NSR Australia were lucky enough to interview Sophie Duke, coach of the women’s soccer team at William Penn University in Iowa. With a strong cohort this season including NSR Prospect Alyce Correia from Western Australia, Sophie is excited about the impact her team will have on the competition this season.
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1. What do you look for in a student athlete?
A student athlete should be willing to put in the time, effort and dedication into not just soccer but also the academic side of life. They must be able to commit to a team, have the passion and drive to do what it takes on and off the field and most importantly enjoy playing the sport that they love.
2. Where do you recruit from first, would you first look to an incoming freshman or a junior college or transfer student?
We normally start by looking at local high school, 
club teams and Junior Colleges in and around Iowa. When it comes to online recruiting we look into all the major recruiters out there from the United States, Britain and Australia. We have no priority when it comes to what year they might be.
3. If you have two equally talented athletes, what would make you choose one over the other?
Attitude plays a huge part in making decisions like this. We would take the player who has given the most effort and worked the hardest at practice over the lazy athlete any day. What you do at practice and also in the classroom dictates how your season will pan out, hard work is always rewarded and never goes unnoticed.
4. How do you feel about your working relationship with NSR Australia?
Personally I think we have a great working relationship with the members of the NSR team. Having had the chance to meet with some of them at the NSCAA Soccer Coaches Convention along with having the connection of former teammate and close friend Dana Tamos working there. They know what our program needs and what we are looking for so they always send good matches our way.
5. How does NSR Australia compare with other agencies around the world that you recruit with?
So far we (William Penn) have definitely had the most success from NSR Australia in terms of being able to land some international players. We are able to contact a member and receive a quick response regarding a potential recruit instead of waiting and just going through a player. This way we can get the correct information and know exactly where we stand.
6. What is the best advice you can give to a student you have recruited or about to depart to your school?
Having been through the same process of coming over to the States to play soccer, the best advice I can give is just go for it. It can seem pretty daunting having to leave home and be so far away but at the same time you are receiving an experience of a lifetime. The best you can do is just go and try it because if you don’t you will always be left with the regret of “what if”. It was the best decision I have ever made as it opened up the world of competitive soccer for women while I was also gaining a degree. Can’t beat that!
7. What are some of the biggest accomplishments during your tenure at William Penn University?
For myself and the program it is more about what is to come and what we are building. The future looks bright for William Penn University in terms of the women’s soccer program, having brought in a new head coach in the past year. I am excited of where we are headed and the great talent we are starting to attract. I feel lucky to be a part of and help start this new era for the school.
8. Do you notice a difference between US and (Australian) International students, if so what sets them apart?
When it comes to any international player I see huge differences in attitudes. There is more on the line for those that are possibly having to spend more and being further away from home. My thought was always that I wanted to make my family proud and make them realize all the support and financial backing they gave me was all worth it. By making the commitment to pursue a degree and be part of a soccer program abroad, it really drills home the importance of hard work and dedication and realizing why you decided to take the journey.
9. Describe a typical day and week ‘in season’?
When season is taking place a typical day will include classes from 8.15am – 3.05pm, then practice usually takes place at 3.45pm. Practice will last roughly two hours which gives time in the evening to rest, receive treatment and do homework. Games are often on weekends so not to interfere with class however some do fall during the week so there may be need to take a day of if we have to travel to an away game. Strength and Conditioning workouts and study hall are also arranged during this time and work around practice and any night classes that some may have
10. What is the fan support like? Do you have a lot of people who support the soccer program?
The USA is still catching up on when it comes to following soccer, with baseball and American football being extremely dominant. That being said, we have a great fan base within our school and also from friends and family who come out and watch our games. We are hopeful that this will continue to expand and with advancing technology we are able to stream all our games live over the internet which helps those following out of state and across the world to support us too
11. Where do all your players come from, how many are from overseas/US students?
We are extremely lucky and proud of our diverse team which not only includes the players but also the coaches. Head coach Willie McGowan hails from Scotland and I came over from England. We were both fortunate to come and play in the States and we are always looking for others who want to do the same. We currently have 4 players from Australia, one from Canada and another from Turks and Caicos.
For more information about William Penn University and their athletics and academic programs visit their website http://www.wmpenn.edu/