Olympian Desiree Scott inspires young Winnipeg soccer players

The next generation of soccer stars took to the field on Saturday with their role model, Olympian Desiree Scott.

The third annual Desiree Scott Soccer Camp brought out girls aged eight to 18 to run, shoot and tackle with the professional player.

"It's fun to be beside somebody who is so good at something," said 11-year-old Madeline Ransom.

Ransom said it meant a lot to pass the ball around with her hero. Chloe Minkus, 9, said it was awesome doing drills and scrimmaging with Scott.

"She signed my bag," Minkus said with a big smile.

Scott is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, pro soccer player with the Kansas City FC and a member of the Canadian Women's National Team. However, the top tier athlete got her start in Winnipeg.

"I was a KidSport kid growing up," Scott said. "I think it's just important that, now where I'm at, to share the experiences and give back."

When she was first kicking the ball, Scott said her mother couldn't afford the registration fees and KidSport stepped in to keep her on the field.

She said it's particularly important to support young girls in sport.

"Girls drop out of sport at 12 and it starts to dip as opposed to boys," she said. "So I think it's important to have something to come out, an event just for them."

With all of the young girls lined up to get her autograph, Scott added she takes her responsibility as a role model seriously.

"I think it's important for girls to have a positive female role model in their lives. I'm happy to do that and it's something I treasure," she said.

The camp runs again on Sunday starting at 8 a.m.