Rutgers Women's Soccer Forward Jonelle Filigno Blogs from the World Cup
Jun 18 | Women's Soccer
Rutgers women's soccer rising sophomore Jonelle Filigno will be blogging her experiences from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, which runs from June 26-July 17. Be sure to check back to www.scarletknights.com for more updates from Germany!
Hi Everyone! My name is Jonelle Filigno and I play on the Rutgers women's soccer team. I am also a part of the Canadian Women's National Team, heading into the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany in just a week's time. For the past six months, I've travelled to several places to compete in different tournaments in preparation for the World Cup. Those countries include China, Cyprus, Switzerland, Hungary, and Italy. It's fair to say that I've been living out of a suitcase for half a year.
Rome is where we have been based out of and spent most of our time. I would like to say that within the past six months I've learned more than 'hi,' 'bye,' and 'how are you' in Italian, but I'd be lying. Although I have not embraced the language, I have learned to love so many different aspects of the Italian culture - the food being my number one choice of course for those who know me. As a matter of fact, I've officially started my own cookbook here in Rome on cooking Italian, so do keep your eyes open for when it hits the RU bookstore later this fall.
It has been a long journey filled with ups and downs, hard work and commitment. I'd like to say it was all worth it for this experience we're about to embark on. The culture here in Italy has helped our team develop a whole new passion for the sport. In spending so much time together, we have gotten stronger on and off the field. We are all excited to see where we stand once that first whistle blows.
Just months ago, the tournament felt like years away, and now to think that we are only a week away blows my mind. To imagine walking out in front of 80,000 people (mostly Germans, as we will be playing the host team in the opening game), plus the many televisions around the world that will be tuned in, is a moment I will never forget. It gives me shivers just thinking about it. Being only 20 years old and the youngest player on the roster, I feel truly blessed for this opportunity to represent Canada and Rutgers at the world stage.
My time at Rutgers has helped me prepare for this amazing journey and the love and support that I have received from my Rutgers family has motivated me daily. My team at Rutgers, including the staff, challenged me daily to want to be the best player that I could be. I am fortunate enough to be here with Karina LeBlanc (former assistant coach at Rutgers). She has been the truest teammate to me with amazing leadership qualities, work ethic and passion, which I know I will bring back to our program. I have always admired her for so many years, first as a player, then as a coach, and now as a teammate. I have learned so much from her as she is one of the veterans with such a great amount of experience. She is about to play in her fourth World Cup (amazing, as she is only the second person in Canadian history to do so. Not very many people in the world can say they've played in four World Cups). When I think about that and I think about the fact that this will be my first, I am so grateful to have a person like that be my 'big sis' and by my side for this opportunity of a lifetime. We talk about the Rutgers program often and how it has been such a huge part of our stories to getting us to this point.
For me, my road hasn't been the easiest. I tore my ACL almost 2 years ago in the first game of what I was hoping to be my first season at Rutgers. I must admit that it was the toughest battle I had to deal with as a player both mentally and physically. Being so far away from my family in Canada, I turned to my Rutgers family. I can honestly say that I don't know if I would be where I am right now if it weren't for their unconditional support.
For Karina, she was also able to overcome difficult injuries with the support of the Rutgers family. What we both appreciate is how much of a family and how dear to our hearts Rutgers is to each of us. On your worst day as a player, you want to know that someone has your back and that is a feeling we both have when it comes to Rutgers. We laugh a lot at our own jokes about (head coach) Glenn (Crooks) and (associate head coach) Mike (O'Neill), especially when they try to play (not quite at the Italian or international level for either of them haha). But on a serious note, I am so grateful to be living my dream with the support that I have around me.
I play for my country, I play for my family, I play for my loved ones, and I play for Rutgers. I am proud to be a Scarlet Knight. Be sure to watch and cheer not only for USA, but for your fellow Canadian Scarlet Knight.
"RUN when you can, WALK when you have to, CRAWL if you must... JUST NEVER GIVE UP!" - Canadian Women's National Team (Our official team motto for the World Cup).
