4 Questions Series - Sam Laity from the NWSL's OL Reign

April 10th 2020

Sam Laity is one of my closest friends. He is also the Guest Speaker on todays Zoom Series at 2pm CST.

His position at the Reign has been in place since inception. This is testament to his adaptability, work ethic and knowledge of the game. He is considered a Master Coach by the USC.

I have never come into contact with a player that has anything negative to say. That is impressive in an ever evolving professional game. Kaylyn Kyle once told me “Sam is the best kept secret in coaching”. High accolade from one of the first midfielders to grace the women’s game.

I think even more-so, Sam is so great with youth players. His compassion, understanding and care is only matched by his obvious wealth of knowledge and curiosity of learning. He is demanding yet aware of the youth players surrounding and ambition.

I enjoy thoroughly our continuing friendship over the years and I look forward to seeing Sam at the highest level for many more to come.

I hope you enjoy Sam’s insights.

You're one of the longest serving coaches in the NWSL. How has the league changed and has it been for the better?

The league is in a very healthy position and that’s testament to the work that’s been put in by all the clubs in the NWSL. There’s been a push towards improving the standards on and off the field and that’s certainly helped the sustainability and long-term projections for the league. Across the league the standards are increasing season by season and that’s very pleasing to see. Of course, there’s still plenty of room for growth, but the path has been set and it’s up to all of us to keep pushing the standards and expectations.

The NWSL has greater global presence now than it probably did when we started in 2013. I think a big part of that is down to the quality and success of the UWSNT.  Further, I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that three of the last four FIFA World Women Player of the year, Rapinoe, Marta and Lloyd play in the NWSL. That in itself, shows the quality on display, in the league, week in week out. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s the best league in the world. Every single game is meaningful and extremely competitive. There are no days off in the NWSL that’s for sure.

2. How is the league comparable to the fast growing European Leagues and structure?

 I’m intrigued by the growth of the women’s game in Europe. We’ve seen how competitive countries like the Netherlands, Spain, France and England have become on the international stage. The rapid growth of the game in those countries, demands respect and acknowledgment.

There a number of powerhouses on the European stage, yet the competitiveness of the leagues, in France, Spain, Germany and England still have some way to go to match the levels in the NWSL. The standard of the top two or three teams in each of those leagues is very, very high, yet the overall standard within the leagues isn’t at the NWSL level just yet. I’m pretty sure that in the next five years or so that we will see more league depth in those countries.

What I do find very intriguing about the game in Europe is the development of the women’s game in some of the tops clubs in World football. The emergence of Athletico, Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid in the women’s game is very telling. It’s going to be a game changer

Who wouldn’t want to be playing in the same club with Pogba, Messi, Ronaldo et al? I’m pretty sure that the emergence of these clubs, within the women’s game, is going to very beneficial for the game in Europe.

3. You've worked with some of the best players in the World, including 2019 Balon D'or Winner, Megan Rapinoe - What separates these players from the rest?

I’ll keep this one simple.

  • Mentality

  • Work Rate

  • Never Settling

  • Constantly Evolving

  • Humility

4. What do you think is the most important advice you could give to a young player?

This is very tough question to answer!  Having never played at the very highest levels of sport (as is the same with many other coaches) I would use examples and methods of some of the Worlds very best sportsmen and women.

Behind every champion and every successful athlete there has been a journey and one that has always involved the following elements:

  • Outwork EVERYBODY else. If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you won’t succeed. You may become very good, but you will not be the best.

  • Focus on behaviors and not goals – it’s the behaviors that enable you to reach your goals

  • Experience failure – Put yourself in positions that you’re going to fail.

  • Bouncebackability – Use failure as a tool for feedback and self improvement

  • Surround yourself with the very best – Players and coaches

  • Never settle

  • Be humble

Thank you Sam.

Lee Cullip