Head coach of US Junior U-21 Women, Taylor Steadman, talks about upcoming championship in Liberec

Interview with Taylor Steadman - Head Coach of the USA U21 Women's Junior Team

How challenging was it for you and your colleagues to assemble the final roster for the 2023 World Junior Championship in Liberec?
Assembling and selecting players for the final roster for such a big tournament is challenging for any coach. Fortunately, we have a large coaching team with extensive experience and expertise, which was utilized in putting together the final roster. We expanded our spectrum of searching for players much more than in the past to ensure that we find the most talented players for the roster. We evaluated skill level, fitness and health, growth potential, team dynamics, and personal values. Overall, selecting our team for the World Junior Championship was very meticulous but also demanding. But we managed to do it all.

How did you choose the right players for your team? Did you look for players who meet certain skills?
Now that our roster is complete, we can confidently say that we have chosen the right players. When evaluating individual players, we did not look for one thing exclusively. We tried to create a team of versatile hockey players who not only showed individual skills but also could adapt and learn our team's strategy. It was important to prioritize players who could work well as a team and put everything towards success.

How is your team's preparation going so far? What are you focusing on? Is it about tactics or building the athletic abilities of your players, such as speed and endurance? What are the strengths of your team?
There are only a few months left until the World Junior Championship, and we are focusing on several key factors, including learning game systems, improving team morale, and developing the athletic abilities of our players. In terms of physical preparation, our players have individual training units focused on developing speed, agility, strength, and endurance. As for tactics, we are working on creating a cohesive game plan that takes into account our strengths and weaknesses. And finally, we focus on team building. We try to bond players together, taking them on trips where they can cultivate their friendships.

There will be no easy opponents at the tournament. What do you expect from the other participants?
We expect our opponents to be mentally and physically prepared, and we know that each team has its unique game style. However, external factors, such as the skill level of players from other teams, cannot be captured. Their significant advantage may also be the support of their fans and the home environment, which we will have to deal with. We expect a high level of competition and look forward to the challenge.

What are your team's ambitions for the tournament? Do you want to win a medal?
Our goal is to bring home the gold medal. You don't enter this type of international competition with the intention of achieving anything less. I know that we will face challenges along the way, and my goal is to meet these challenges with grace, composure, and dignity. It's incredibly important for our team to navigate these upcoming obstacles while having fun and respecting each other, and our opponents. At the same time, we want to encourage our players to push themselves to the limits of their perceived abilities and beyond.

Overall, how excited are you for the tournament?
We are all excited for a tournament full of excitement and healthy nerves. Although the players are thrilled to be playing at this level, they also want to deliver their best performances both individually and as a team. Our coaching team's mission is to use healthy nerves to get the most out of each player. Competing in a significant international tournament like the Junior World Championships is a significant opportunity for our team to showcase their skills and gain experience competing against the best in the world.

Interview with USA junior players - Zara Tedesco, Mikayla Walsh, and Victoria Biagetti

How is your U21 USA team shaping up for the 2023 Junior World Championships in Liberec? Are you excited?
Zara Tedesco: Our U21 USA team is just fine-tuning the last details. We are working hard individually and as a team to maintain our fitness and hone our skills for the Junior World Championships. I am excited like the other players. We have full confidence in ourselves and expect to go far in this tournament. Most importantly, we are so excited about the experience that is coming.

Are you nervous about your team role? What are your team's goals?
Zara Tedesco: We have been working on this our whole lives, and I truly believe that each of our team roles is natural for all of us. We expect to form friendships that will last for many years. We expect our team to grow with our play and learn not only from coaches but also from other teammates. And finally, we expect all the girls to not only be grateful for this experience but to be proud of the work they have put in to represent their country!

How excited are you for the international matches in Liberec? What do you expect from them? Which opponent are you most looking forward to competing against?
Victoria Biagetti: We are very excited for the international tournament in Liberec. For most of our team, it will be their first international experience. We expect to play quality ball hockey at the highest level. We will work hard in every match to succeed. Throughout the tournament, we will undoubtedly face challenges, but as a team, we will overcome them! We are looking forward to competing against all our opponents.

What is your primary focus in tournament preparation?
Mikayla Walsh: Our primary focus is on building trust within our team. We are slowly taking on responsibility as players, young women, and as a team. We will represent both on and off the field.

What can we expect from your team? What will be the specifics of your game?
Mikayla Walsh: You can expect good ball hockey from our team, because everyone on the team has accepted their role and will fulfill it. The coaching staff has done a hard and honest job, preparing us well for the international championship.