Chloe Renaud, U3 Arts, is a talented midfielder on the McGill women’s soccer team who has been making her mark both on and off the field. Having been named the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Player of the Week within the first week of the season and the McGill Player of the Week two weeks in a row, Renaud is undoubtedly a star on the Martlets squad.
Renaud’s love for soccer began at a young age, drawing inspiration from her older brother who played before her. At the age of six, she joined her first team, Club de Soccer Spatial de St-Hubert. She developed skills quickly and rose through the ranks of her local team, eventually representing both Quebec and Canada at national and international levels between the ages of 15 and 18.
“Eventually I started to get better, more competitive, so all [of] my high school and Cegep, I worked towards a [sports academy] before I came to university to be a varsity athlete,” Renaud told The Tribune.
The Martlets soccer team is starting the season strong with a current record of 5–0–0. Renaud believes the team has shifted its mindset from previous seasons and is determined to compete for a spot at Nationals. Despite settling for a draw against Laval—the best team in the league last year—on Sept. 15, the Martlets put their best foot forward, with Renaud at the forefront of their 1-1 tie.
“I think we gained a lot more confidence,” she explained. “I remember before playing Laval on Friday, we played Bishop’s, and we scored the first goal, and then just before going to the half break, they scored. Last year, if we got scored on just before going to the second half we would have been a little bit shaky and [maybe] started to doubt ourselves. But this Friday, we felt a sense of calmness, like, ‘okay, we got this, we’re gonna score.’”
Balancing her studies in psychology and soccer commitments has been no easy task for Renaud. The demands of high-level soccer training and competition, combined with the coursework required for a university degree, can be overwhelming. However, she has managed to excel in both areas through careful planning, time management, and a strong support system.
“It’s definitely tough to juggle everything, but I’m passionate about both soccer and psychology,” Renaud said. “I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends who have helped me stay focused and motivated.”
Renaud’s dedication to her goals has not gone unnoticed. She often finds herself in the spotlight for her performances on the field, like with recognition by the RSEQ and McGill Athletics in recent weeks.
As Renaud looks to the future, she is excited about the potential for growth in women’s soccer in Canada. The upcoming Canadian professional women’s soccer organization, the Northern Super League, represents a significant step forward for the sport, offering woman athletes new opportunities and increased visibility. She believes that this league will inspire more young girls to pursue their dreams in soccer and will help to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for women in sports. It is also her aspiration after university to join the league as a professional soccer player.
“There’s a pro league in the U.S. and also [a few in] in Europe, but we don’t have one in Canada, and that’s when we lose a lot of talent, because everyone’s going to the U.S. or Europe.” Renaud said. “So this lets them develop assets within the country and keeps them within the country.”
To young woman athletes looking to continue their athletic journeys in university, she imparted some words of wisdom: “If you know that this is what you want to do, then just work your ass off, and every day it will pay off.”
