Introduction to Lara Schenk
Lara Schenk never had one who was afraid to improve roots to make a new challenge in a foreign country. So maybe it is not so surprising that the 25-year-old German made a leap in faith at the beginning of this year and registered to play in the latest professional football league in the world, the Northern Super League (NSL). Since crossing the pond in April, Schenk has set up in the Montreal Roses, one of the six founding clubs of the NSL.
Career Milestone
For the only German player in Canada’s top flight, who describes himself as a "two foot high and aggressive defender", the step is another milestone in her already remarkable career. "Writing history is always a unique experience," said Schenk. "It makes me very proud to be the first German player in the league here and be part of the very first season. With the start of a new league in Canada, we finally set a milestone for North America and promote women’s football beyond the USA and Mexico."
Previous Experience
For Schenk, who most recently played for the Spanish Second Division Club CD Sporting Club de Huelva, North America is a known territory after leaving Germany in 2018 to visit Harvard University. "Back then I saw a role model in [Germany forward] Laura Freiegel, who went as a youth team on college in the USA. I followed her, "said Schenk." I would make the same decision today. "
First Pro Treaty in Belgium
During her time in Harvard, Schenk, which Germany represented at the youth level, acquired not only a degree, but also part of the athlete Ally, a group that deals with College sports for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ athletes. After completing her degree in December 2022, the product of the Wolfsburg youth program signed its first professional contract with the women’s section of the Belgian Club FC Bruges. A year later, she switched to RSC Anderlecht, with which she won the Belgian Super League.
European Leagues "Can Learn from Canada"
Now in Canada, Schenk sees the NSL as "a very good mix of European and typical North American sporting football style". The professional structures that enable players, but to concentrate fully on their performance on the pitch are particularly important and the NSL sees the NSL in this regard as a model. "I believe that the smaller European leagues can learn a lot from our league in particular," she said. "The interests of civil servants, investors and fans are simply there. I have not experienced it to the same extent in Europe. If you want to develop women’s football in Europe, standard contracts, minimum wages and professional conditions must be present."
Professional Frame
This is exactly what the NSL, which describes itself on its website as a "revolution", offers when she strives to build a league that "can believe the next generation". The driving force behind the founding of the NSL is the former professional Diana Matheson, who was part of the Canadian teams who won bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She also spent eight seasons as a player in the National Women’s Soccer League in the USA. Matheson described the opportunity to restart a professional league as a "gift" from scratch -and she took the opportunity to ensure that provisions such as extended maternity leave and a ban on the transfer of players without consent to standard contracts are written.
Solid Planning for a Long-Term Future
"In the Canadian league, we know that an injury or pregnancy does not immediately lead to uncertainties and contractual problems," said Schenk. "Diana Matheson and Co. Have done a great job, and I am impressed by the Canadian officials and the Canadian national team who set up this league solidly and planned for a long-term future." However, Schenk is concentrated on the more immediate future. With the top four teams that qualify for the playoffs, the roses, who are currently second on the table, see a good bet to make it into the off-season. Even if the roses do not make it to the BMO field on Toronto on November 15, Schenk already feels like a winner. "For me personally, it remains a dream to be just a professional footballer and to experience and shape the growth of women’s football worldwide."
