Girls soccer: Daughter & mother union in Rockville
Sep. 6—VERNON — Hannah Steed was born to be a physical education teacher and coach, following in her mother's footsteps.
So it's only right that in her first season as the Rockville High varsity girls soccer coach, Amy Steed is right at her side as the Rams' assistant.
"I saw the connections that my mom made with her players and her students and the difference that she made in their lives," Hannah said. "It's what I've been surrounded by my entire life.
"I always had a good connection with my teachers which is what she did. So it became something I wanted to do. I wanted to help young kids become what they wanted to be. She'd be coaching kids about soccer but she was teaching them about life. She does the same thing as a physical education teacher. That's what made me want to come here and try to make a difference where I grew up."
Rockville hosts East Granby for its season opener on Friday.
Hannah Steed graduated from Rockville High in 2014 and got her bachelor's degree in physical education from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2018. She earned her masters degree in special education from the University of Saint Joseph in May. She teaches physical education at Center Road School in Vernon.
Sports have always been a part of her life, also following in her mother's footsteps.
Amy Steed (née Keane) was part of three state champion soccer teams at Tolland High under coach Beth Regan and followed her to ECSU when Regan became the first women's soccer coach there. She also coached under Regan at Tolland for a decade. She is currently the curriculum liaison at the high school.
Amy did not coach Hannah but the daughter was a fixture at her mother's games growin up.
"Darlene Gurnon, (former Ellington High boys soccer coach) Roy's wife, would pick her up from school for me and bring her to the games because she knew how important it was for her girls to watch Roy's games," Amy said. "So she felt Hannah should be there and she'd watch Beth and I and get to know the girls. It was fun for her to have that path of 'I know what I want to do.' "
Hannah Steed, who is also an assistant indoor and outdoor track coach at Rockville High, was the JV girls soccer coach for the Rams before taking over this season for Bill Bilyak. Rockville had high hopes for 2021 but was decimated by injuries and finished 3-12-1.
Among the top returnees is senior midfielder Chloe Keane, Hannah's cousin and Amy's niece.
A month shy of her 26th birthday, Hannah is not that much older than her players.
"I think about that a lot," Hannah said with a smile. "The funny thing about it is I have a younger brother and sister. We were close in age yet so far apart. I think they helped shape me into the teacher and coach I am today. It's made me more prepared for what I'm getting into.
"These kids want someone who will show up for them. Lucky for me I'm energetic and have time on my hands to dedicate to them and show them I care about every aspect. As weird as it is to be close in age, it's about finding the boundaries, 'I like to joke about things and have good time but we also need to get things done.' I'm able to own my mistakes and I'm transparent and they see that."
Rockville had its first scrimmage Thursday against East Catholic and is scheduled to scrimmage Woodstock Academy today.
Her mother admits she's a little nervous watching her daughter take charge.
"She's young," Amy said. "But I've been really impressed with, first, how she wants to change the culture here at Rockville. She wants to change attitudes and make it more of a family and community. The way the girls respond to her and respect her, I am truly amazed and I think it's awesome.
"Her style is not my style. We agree on a lot of things. But her relationship with the girls is different than what I would have because of the generation gap. But it works. And I love watching her. She loves what she does. She has a big heart and she's driven."
But Hannah is still adjusting.
In front of her players she calls her mother "Coach Amy" though she figures "Mom" will come out at some point over the length of a season.
"The scrimmage was the first time we were both on the sidelines and we talked like coaches," Hannah said. "Sometimes I find it hard to be, 'Coach Amy' instead of 'Mom.' But I want the players to see that she's Coach Amy. I think we'll get there but we're new to this. It's great to have someone like her around to learn from. No one around me as more soccer knowledge than she does. That will help me. We're still finding our ways, but once we get into the season and into a routine it's going to be great."
Amy Steed said she's tries to be more of a motivator, having worked with many of the current players in middle school.
She'll give advice when necessary but trusts her daughter to get the job done right.
"She sees that this is my first opportunity to do great things and wants me to savor these moments," Hannah said. "She doesn't want to put her thoughts and opinions into everything. But we're on the same page and working at the same pace.
"Having her here means a lot to me. She's had to listen to me talk about soccer so much. Every day in high school I'd go talk to her and she knows what she's doing. We have different styles and do different things. She's willing to come out here and give her time so I have a role model to look up to. I'm happy to have her."
For coverage of all sports in the JI's 18-town coverage area, plus updates on the UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma, follow Carl Adamec on Twitter: @CarlAdamec, Facebook: Carl Adamec, and Instagram: @CarlAdamec.
