Christine Hardie | Women’s Soccer
Maclaine Chadwick | Fulcrum Staff
Photo courtesy of Sports Services
“Meet a Gee-Gee” takes a look at the people under the jerseys. Whether they’re varsity athletes or otherwise, we ask the players questions you want answers to. We get the dirt, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Meet Christine Hardie, a fourth-year criminology and sociology student at the University of Ottawa and striker on the women’s varsity soccer team. In an email interview with the Fulcrum, Hardie talks about the life of a soccer player, her tattoo, and what she will miss about the game.
The Fulcrum: Can you describe a week in the life of a Gee-Gees soccer player?
Christine Hardie: Well, there’s training every day of the week, but we each get one day off to rest and recover. Practices are two hours long, and I train Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We usually arrive 20–30 minutes before practice starts and need about the same amount of time at the opposite end to get ready to go home, so it ends up being three hours as opposed to two. On weekends, if we have away games, we leave early afternoon on Fridays and arrive back in Ottawa typically late Sunday nights. The weeks are busy, and keeping a balance between our commitment to the team and our school work is challenging.
What has been the highlight of your years on the U of O soccer team?
Winning a bronze medal at nationals last year in Montreal was amazing, but I think this year there will be highlights that top that.
Fill in the blank: My teammates would say I am the most likely to _______________.
Ruin a serious moment.
What is the biggest misconception about your sport?
That it’s non-contact. It’s a physical game, and we all carry the bumps, bruises, and injuries to prove that.
What is your favourite thing about being a Gee-Gee?
Being able to play soccer every day. I love it. Also, horses happen to be my favourite animal.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I don’t like to plan ahead, actually. I prefer to figure out what to do as I go.
If you could play any other sport at the U of O, what would it be?
I think I would get cut from any other sports team. I guess [the] equestrian team would be my next choice, though.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
The meaning behind my tattoo. When asked about it, I seldom give the real explanation.
Who is your idol, and why?
There isn’t one person I can identify. I idolize certain people in my life that set good examples and instill positive morals in me. These people include my family members and friends.
What are you going to miss the most about soccer season once it is over?
The team.
If you have a suggestion for an athlete you would like to see interviewed, email [email protected]
