One area that is becoming more apparent within the brokenness of the sports world in Europe is the need of support for professional female athletes that are believers. This past year, a professional football/soccer player from the US landed a contract to play in Florence, Italy for ACF Fiorentina Femminile. Jazmin had been growing in her faith and was eager to be connected with someone in Italy to walk beside her.

CONNECT

Jazmin’s name was given to an Italian staff member of SRSInternational. He connected with Jazmin and made a visit to welcome her and listen to her heart and needs. After this initial connection was established, he then gave her name to another SRSInternational staff female member to come alongside Jazmin.

GROW

It is such an honor to enter a professional athlete’s world as their time is so consumed with all aspects of their sport. So, sport mentors need to make it work in each athlete’s life. Much of the time was spent listening, encouraging, sharing scripture and praying together. Jazmin also got some support from a local church and another woman during her time in Italy. Many people do not realize all there is to playing in a foreign country which requires quick learning and adapting to culture, language, style of play, churches, and the lack of a regular support system. There were many highs and lows during the season as will happen, but Jazmin continued to seek Jesus and trust Him even when it was incredibly difficult.

SERVE

Jazmin was invited to participate in the GO Sport Level 2 online training. During this time, she was able to grow in the intersection of her faith and sport. She was salt and light within her club both on and off the pitch. At this same time, her fiancé was playing basketball in Croatia and was also able to participate in the online training to help him grasp his faith and sport intersecting. At one point of the season, Jazmin was interviewed in a fairly in depth, lengthy conversation. She was able to naturally speak of her faith giving God thanks and glory within a response to a question that was asked by the Italian reporter