Charlene “Charlie” Frew is a third-year student and a current starter on the Voyageurs Women’s Soccer team
She is known to her teammates as a knowledgeable and motivated individual on and off the soccer pitch. The Behavioural Neuroscience student is categorized as a versatile player. Since her first year playing, she has pretty much played everywhere but between the goalposts. Although a current starter, it wasn’t too long ago Charlie was considered an underdog for a starting role.
From the moment Charlie picked up a soccer ball, she was underestimated.
A native of Barrie, ON, and the second oldest of a family of four kids. She, alongside her older and younger sister, was introduced to the game of soccer at a very young age. The three sisters pushed each other. Every time they stepped onto the field, they battled with each other. But even to a young Charlie, it was evident that her youngest sister was considered the more talented Frew sister. She has been cast as the underdog ever since. Charlie used it as fuel and motivation, not a reason to stop playing.
Eventually, that determination would pay off, as she is the only one of her three sisters who still plays the sport. Once at Laurentian, she was labelled with the same underdog status she was given quite some time ago. She was part of the recruiting class from the former Laurentian coach and didn’t get to train or compete in her first year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once the year finally started, she wasn’t given much playing time, but after a few games, she began to prove herself little by little. Eventually, that hard work and determination would pay off, as, by the end of the season, Charlie was the starting left backer. She credits this accomplishment to her sisters for constantly pushing her to have a competitive edge.
The current starter has no desire to give up that role and looks forward to breaking free from the underdog label and being a full-time starter next season.