4 minute read
Crossover Sports Association
Pictured above: Crossover Lions Soccer Team
We are committed to producing athletes that excel both on and off the field.
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CROSSOVER LIONS SPORTS
Pictured above: Natalie during high school signing day.
CSA Club Soccer
by Natalie Belanger
I grew up playing club soccer for a large club but never really felt like I fit in. I’m not from the Tulsa area and my parents weren’t even aware of the concept of club sports. Both of these factors left me at a major disadvantage in the hyper-competitive world of club sports. When I was about 9 years old, I transitioned into club soccer from a small academy team. When I entered high school, I was still playing club soccer and was surrounded by girls that went to large schools with soccer teams that competed year after year for state titles. I’ve gone to Collinsville Public Schools for my entire K-12 career. Our girls’ varsity soccer team had a record-breaking 2021-2022 season. However, before that, we struggled to even make it to the second round of playoffs. Throughout my time at various local, large soccer clubs, I never had a teammate that also went to Collinsville. Most of my other teammates had 3-4 players on the team that went to the same school as them. This resulted in the formation of small cliques. I often felt isolated at games, practices, and team parties. In May of 2020, a coach I had played with before I ever played club soccer contacted me and asked if I would guest play in Oklahoma City with his team for a tournament. While guest playing, I really clicked with the team, and we ended up winning the tournament (pictured above). Shortly after that tournament. I left my previous club team and joined Crossover Sports Association (CSA). Crossover is a club sports association that helps athletes from Northeast Oklahoma reach the next level. CSA is different from other sports clubs in the Tulsa area because it focuses on reaching underserved demographics and areas within Tulsa.
Pictured above: Natalie in action.
-Natalie B.
Pictured above: Natalie in action.
Crossover Sports has given me an immense number of opportunities. The team has allowed me to build lifelong friendships and given me opportunities on and off the field. I stepped into a captain position on the field which taught me leadership skills. During my time with Crossover, I was one of the oldest girls on the team. I was able to influence younger players and help them throughout the season. The development of these skills followed me to school soccer where I was nominated as one of the team captains. Off the field, Crossover played a vital role in my future educational plans. Because of Crossover Sports Association, I will be attending Southwestern College in Winfield, KS to play soccer and get a degree in biology with a focus on pre-veterinary science. I honestly don’t think I would be playing college soccer without Crossover Sports. Unlike most club teams, Crossover Sports’ soccer team focuses on college showcases, making it much easier to get seen by college coaches.
I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be able to play with Crossover. My coach, Marc Hansen, and the girls I’ve had the opportunity to play with made my experience one that is full of laughs and unforgettable memories.
Natalie Belanger is a Senior at Collinsville High School, and she has the opportunity to continue her love for soccer as a college athlete at Southwestern College. Natalie has developed into a leader amongst her peers which is a reminder of how important character development is in youth sports. Natalie has also been a part of the first team of club sports that Crossover offers which will expand with the coming Crossover Community Center. Having the opportunity to bring soccer to north Tulsa will be a game changer, just like Natalie!
To learn more about Crossover Sports Association, please go to www.crossoverlions.org.
