Queen's Women's Soccer player Christie Gray found a unique opportunity to continue her training when she was studying on exchange in France last season.

Through a contact of assistant coach Mallory McQueen – Canadian Olympian and gold medalist Vanessa Gilles – Gray (Vancouver, BC) reached out to FC Girondins De Bordeaux before leaving for France.

"I knew it was a bit of a shot in the dark, but I reached out right before I left Canada with my highlight video," Gray said. "The day I arrived in Bordeaux the head coach, Pedro Losa Martinez, invited me to come and meet with him. After I met with him, he invited me to train with the reserves team for a session and the first team for two sessions. At the end of the week, he said that I could stay with the first team to train, and the club wanted me to sign a contract with the reserve team so that I could play games."
 

Gray said she mostly trained with the first team during her time in France and joined the reserve team in January 2020 before having to go home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said it took too long for her license to transfer from Canada Soccer to the French Football Federation to play any games with the reserve team, but still looks back on her time there as an incredible experience.

"It was the most stressful but the best experience of my life. I would typically leave my house to catch the bus around 7:45 a.m. and return around 4:30 p.m. – completely exhausted. The training facility was something you would see in a movie, perfectly cut green grass fields and the Chateau for all club administration, press and media. However, my favourite part of the experience with FC Girondins de Bordeaux was getting the chance to play at the highest level and learn about each and every one of the girls' path."

Gray said she quickly felt part of the team and had a lot of fun both on and off the field with them.

"I had watched a lot of the girls who play in first division French league since I was young at the Olympics and past World Cups. Now, I had the chance to sit across from some of them at the lunch table. I had to pinch myself a few times. Despite their incredible accomplishments, professional experiences and brand deals, everyone was super friendly towards me. Joining change room dance parties and eating breakfast and lunch with the girls allowed me to get to know them as people off the field. Vanessa (Gilles) was also nice enough to let me keep my cleats in her locker. Each and every one of them has such an amazing but incredibly different story."
 

Gray has been with Queen's since the 2017-18 season. Over three seasons, the striker has accumulated 16 goals and 10 assists with the Gaels. She notes there were not many similarities from the game she's played here and the one she played in France.

"Their style of soccer relied a lot more heavily on technical ability and possession than I was used to. In the USA and Canada, we play a more physical, athletic, and direct game of soccer. Even in the gym, in North America we lift more and heavier, while the workouts in France were more soccer specific, using lighter weights and more focused on agility."

"Overall, I would say the main differences between training in France and here at Queen's would be the speed of play, passing and individual mastering of skills. I think ironing out those details and getting to that next level happens in a professional environment when you have time to focus 100 per cent on being an athlete."

That doesn't mean the experience with Bordeaux didn't help cement some important lessons for Gray as the Queen's Women's Soccer team prepares to start their regular season Friday, Sept. 24 against the Carleton Ravens.

"I brought back a few important things from my time with Bordeaux. First, no matter your position on the team, whether you are the captain or lower down on the roster, there is always an opportunity to work hard to learn and improve. The hard work doesn't stop once you make the starting 11 or play full games. You must work to maintain your skill and continue to set the bar higher. Second, promoting a team culture that is based on respect and hard work and is free of entitlement is critical. Set a good example day in and day out, and be sure to lift teammates up."