Canadian ’keeper of faith earns shot at Rio
Labbé has big shoes to fill with women’s soccer team facing high expectations
Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé may not wear her heart on her sleeve but her roots are plain to see. Her right arm, from shoulder to elbow, is a tattooed tribute to her native Alberta.
The ink depicts the Rocky Mountains — “my happy place” — and spruce trees. A compass pointing north shows she is from northern Alberta. A wild rose, Alberta’s provincial flower, is coiled around an anchor that reminds her to be grounded and know where you’re from. Below a quote, “Be You Bravely,” provides words to live by.
It was all done in two sittings. Did it hurt?
“Yes. A lot,” the 29-year-old from Stony Plain, Alta., said with a laugh. “More than I’d like to admit.”
The word “Free” is inked on her wrist. “That’s kind of the reminder that when I’m at my best, I’m free and I’m not thinking, I’m just able to be me and I’m just free.”
Labbé’s tattoos tell a story and were prompted by moments in her life where she came through hardship or challenges.
The Canadian ’keeper is about to undergo her biggest sporting challenge — in the Olympic spotlight.
An alternate at the 2008 Games and absent in 2012 for personal rea- sons, she will be front and centre in Rio as John Herdman’s starter in the absence of injured veteran Erin McLeod.
Labbé made her national team debut in July 2008 but found her way blocked by Karina LeBlanc, who retired last summer with 110 caps, and McLeod (115 caps). Now Labbe, who has 32 caps, is Canada’s senior ’keeper. It’s not the way she wanted it.
“I never want to get it because somebody else can’t have it,” she said. “You want to get it because you’ve earned it and you’ve worked hard . . . I’ve put in a lot of work over the past few years. I’ve worked my butt off to get to where I am. I know that any chances that I’m getting are because I’ve worked hard and I’ve gotten myself to this level.
“Nothing’s by fluke and nothing’s been given to me. I’ve had to work very hard and I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in my career.”
Labbé credits McLeod for pushing her out of her comfort zone. Labbé spent six years playing in Sweden, divided evenly between Pitea and KIF Orebro, before joining the Washington Spirit this season.
“I was ready for something new, a new challenge,” she said.
She also wanted to be closer to her family and thought the competition in the North American league would help her push for the starting spot in Rio. The road to Sweden started at the University of Connecticut, where she earned 22 shutouts and made 325 saves while earning a degree in early childhood development and education. After her last NCAA game, she was approached by an agent about playing overseas.
As her return ticket to North America, the Spirit ticked a few boxes. The NWSL team plays on grass — Labbé had been playing on turf in Sweden — so she had a chance to get comfortable on the natural surface ahead of the Olympics.
Playing with fellow Canadians Shelina Zadorsky and Diana Matheson was also an attraction. The three room together these days.
Labbé, a fitness fanatic, is certified as a personal trainer and plans to work in that field after her soccer career. In the meantime she focuses on herself, doing everything from gym work to yoga.
She has plenty of experience to draw from, dating back to the 2003 Pan American Games. She captained Canada at the last summer’s Pan Ams on home soil.
“I’m not trying to be anyone else, I’m not trying to be Erin, I’m not trying to be any other goalkeeper in the world,” she said. “I’m really just trying to be the best version of myself and that’s really all I can do.”