From soccer player to head coach of CF Montreal's women's program: Julie Casselman's career path

By Emmanuelle Champagne

Before becoming a trainer-e head coach of the women's program at the Montreal CF Academy, Julie Casselman had only one dream: to become a professional soccer player. Sometimes, the vagaries of life mean that our path can change, and for the better.

She began playing soccer at the age of four. Originally from the Outaouais region, she joined the Gatineau regional team, FC Gatineau, formerly known as the Hull Soccer Association. 

By the age of 14, she was playing for the Quebec team. Shortly afterwards, she received an invitation from the Centre national de haute performance (CNHP) in Laval. She gladly accepted the offer. She packed her bags and moved in with a host family in Laval to pursue her dream. 

"My idea was to make a career out of the sport and not anything else," confides Julie Casselman, head coach of the women's program at the Montreal CF Academy. 

En route to the United States

A few camps with the U17 national team and several competitions with the U20 national team later, she flew to Kentucky. More precisely, in the city of Louisville, where she chose to complete a Bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice at the University. Her choice of degree had nothing to do with her passion for sport. She opted for this program solely to continue playing soccer there. 

When physical health takes over

Julie Casselman suffered her fifth concussion when she started playing for Louisville. The team's doctors asked her to take an enforced leave of absence to avoid damaging her physical health. Her dream of becoming a professional soccer player took another direction. 

To keep her on the team, the coach asked her to organize individual sessions with players in need. It was at this point that Julie Casselman became interested in coaching.-e.

Returning to Quebec, she became a trainer-e for soccer clubs on a part-time basis. Three years later, in 2015, she became a full-time educator. From 2015 to 2019, she is an educator for a sport-study program located in the Lanaudière region.

His role as coach-e evolved when the Soccer Québec association suggested a full-time position as women's soccer coordinator. The more managerial and organizational aspect piqued her curiosity.

She also holds the position of Assistant to the National High Performance Centre (NHPC) for two consecutive years, from 2019 to 2022. 

Life smiles on her as the head coach of the women's program at the Montreal CF Academy steps down. Since the Montreal CF is taking over the CNHP, she was delighted to make the transition from Soccer QC to the Montreal CF as the new head coach of the Montreal CF women's program.