Name: Jill de Waal
Born: 2 July, 2002
Sport: Soccer
University: Tennessee Wesleyan College
Placed: Fall 2021
Jill de Waal and her move to the US
Jill de Waal was already a familiar face in Dutch women’s soccer. She played for Excelsior Rotterdam and also already studied in the Netherlands, but her ambition went further. Jill wanted to get more out of her dual career by both playing soccer at a high level and taking her studies to a higher level. The choice to go to US was therefore a logical step.
Together with Slamstox, Jill began the adventure of finding the right university in the US. She was looking for a place where she could combine her passion for soccer with her studies in social work, and where she could further develop as a player. After an intensive process and multiple options, she made the choice for Tennessee Wesleyan College. This university offered Jill the perfect balance: she could continue her studies and get a spot on the team right away.
A challenge to find the right place
The main challenge for Jill was finding a place where she would find the right match both academically and athletically. She wanted a college where her choice of social work was possible, but also a place where she could make a valuable contribution as a soccer player. Tennessee Wesleyan College proved to offer that perfect combination. In addition, Jill received one of the highest scholarships on the team, which significantly improved her financial situation and allowed her to focus entirely on her sport and studies.
Farewell and the Slamstox Road Trip
In 2021, we said goodbye to Jill in person during the Slamstox Road Trip. We visited Jill and her parents’ home, to wish her all the best for this new phase in her life. It was a wonderful moment of reflection and looking ahead to a promising future. The road trip was a symbolic farewell, and we are proud of Jill’s journey and the steps she has taken.
During the Slamstox Road Trip, we surprised Jill just before her departure for USA.