Bailey has been training with Finesse Soccer since the spring of 2012. No, that's not a typo. As one of the first goalkeepers to go through our entire training program, she's become part of the Finesse Soccer family. It's only suitable that she's the first player we highlight in our Player Spotlight. Without further ado, meet Bailey!
What's your name?
Bailey Heffernon
Any nicknames?
Heff
How old are you?
18
What number do you wear? Any particular reason why?
I wear number 1, partly because I was number 5 but then I made the switch from rec ball to club and 5 was taken and partly because it was the number Hope Solo wore.
What position do you play?
I’m a Goalkeeper.
How long have you played soccer?
I’ve played soccer for 11 years.
What city do you live in?
I live in Shawnee, KS.
What team/club/coach/school do you play for?
I just finished up my last club season with Puma FC who I’ve played for for 5 years and I play high school ball for Mill Valley High School.
What is your favorite thing about training with Finesse Soccer?
I think my favorite part about training with finesse has been the relationships that you build. Some people go to practice and all they get out of it is soccer skills but whenever I showed up to a Finesse session I knew I was going to become a better soccer player as well as be training with a supportive and engaging group of people who really cared about my development and goals.
How has training with Finesse helped you?
Training with Finesse from an early age was really beneficial because there’s a level for everyone. When I was a beginner everyone was patient with me and taught me solid fundamentals and then progressed me when they knew I could handle it.
Tell us about why you wanted to start training with Finesse.
I wanted to start training with Finesse because I wasn’t getting a lot of GK specific training at my club practices and I was struggling in games. My dad saw Finesse when he was looking around for a training opportunity for me and I was in a session a few weeks later!
What is your favorite thing about soccer?
Definitely the fact that there's always something that you can do to get better. The game is always evolving and you have to change with it and being able to constantly find new ways to better your play is really enjoyable.
Who is your all-time favorite athlete (any sport)?
Erin McLeod (Canadian GK)
What is something you like to do in your free time?
I really like just getting outside and hanging out with my friends. I’ve also been in the broadcast journalism program at school for 3 years so I really enjoy working with videos.
If you had a song that played as you walked onto the pitch, what would it be?
DNA- Kendrick Lamar
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I mostly just listen to music thats really chill because I like to mellow out before games so I’m more calm when I’m playing.
Any superstitions?
Okay they're really dumb but I have to put my right sock on before my left then my right shoe before my left, and I have to step on the field with my right foot first and do two jumps before the whistle blows. And I have a lucky headband and a certain color prewrap.
Tell us about any honors and awards you’ve earned.
2016 High School
- All League 1st team
- All State 2nd team
- All Metro Honorable Mention
- 4th Place Finish
- Regional & Sub State Champions
- National Cheerleaders Association Leadership Award
- 4x State Cup Qualifier
Collegiate Pursuit
- 4 College Scholarship Offers
- Accepted Scholarship offer to play at Iowa State University
What advice would you share with younger players?
One, don’t be afraid to fail and two, try to walk away from every practice feeling happy with your effort. Every training session is a opportunity to better yourself and learn from your mistakes and you should always give it your best.
Who do you look up to and why?
I really look up to every single one of my teammates. I’ve had the privilege of playing along side some of the most hard working people I’ve ever known and they make me want to bust my butt in practice everyday.
What are your goals as a player, both short term and long term?
Short term, I want to finish out my last high school season on a good note and help my team win in any way I can. Long term, I want to work hard as I go into my first college season and try to challenge for playing time. After college I want to stay with soccer through coaching, hopefully at the high school level, or possibly as a graduate assistant at a university.