Bev Priestman

"I never expected to be a coach," Bev Priestman confesses. "I just wanted to play soccer."
But Priestman's path has led her to unexpected, but remarkable career as one of the top coaches in the world.
Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, Priestman was a talented soccer player. She played for her country's youth teams and went on to have a successful college career at the University of Portland.
During her time at Portland, Priestman was coached by Clive Charles, who had a profound impact on her. "He was the one who taught me about the mental side of the game," she says. "He showed me how important it is to have a strong mindset and to be able to stay focused under pressure."
After graduating from college, Priestman played professionally in England for several years. But when she wasn't playing, she was often found on the sidelines, helping out with the younger teams.
In 2011, Priestman was hired as an assistant coach for the Canadian national team. She helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics.
In 2018, Priestman was promoted to head coach of the Canadian national team. Under her leadership, the team won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Priestman's success as a coach is due in no small part to her ability to connect with her players. She is known for her positive attitude and her ability to motivate players to achieve their full potential.
Priestman is also a strong advocate for women in sports. She is a role model for young girls and women who want to pursue a career in coaching.
In 2022, Priestman was named head coach of the England national team. She is the first woman to coach a major men's soccer team that has ever played in the World Cup.
Priestman's journey from player to coach has been a remarkable one. She has overcome many challenges along the way, but she has never lost sight of her dream.
"I want to inspire young girls to believe that they can do anything they set their minds to," she says. "I want them to know that they can be anything they want to be, no matter what their gender is."