Student-athlete advances futsal coaching skills in Portugal
In May, Kodiaks women’s soccer and futsal student-athlete Malorie Hanson travelled to Portugal to participate and obtain the Portuguese Federation’s Level 1 Futsal Coaching Licence. This was part of the recent Futsal Canada-Canada Soccer partnership with the Portuguese Football Federation. Hanson was one of just three women who were selected and took part in this program.
“I was really excited about this opportunity because I feel there is a severe lack of futsal programming in Canada and I would like to help promote the sport as much as I can,” says Hanson. “I also want to help female athletes have more opportunity and involvement in futsal, and I recognize that equipping myself with education and connections is an essential step in this.”
Hanson has always been interested in coaching, as both of her parents were soccer coaches. This past year, Hanson battled an injury that ended her soccer season. She turned that hardship into an opportunity by transitioning to a student-coach for the futsal season, which was her first time coaching adults in a team format. Although the transition from athlete to coach was challenging, she says her teammates made it easier and helped her gain confidence. Hanson helped coach the team to a silver medal at the 2024 ACAC Futsal Championships held in Lac La Biche, Alta.
