KWU Sports Information
Kayla Deaver's longtime ambition to play soccer at the professional level is about to become reality.
Deaver, Kansas Wesleyan's sensational All-American forward, has signed a contract with the Bayside United Football Club, a team located in Melbourne, Australia, that competes in the 16-team Victoria Women's National Premier League.
The process began with a seemingly innocent conversation she had with her KWU coach, Henrik Sohn.
"We talked about what would come after the season and after my college career ended," said Deaver, who tied the school record with 26 goals this season. "He asked me if I wanted to play abroad, if I wanted to look into it. I told him 'of course, that's been my dream.'
"I never thought that I could do this so the fact that someone else believes in me really pushed me even harder. Henrik helped me get all of this moving. He found an agent for me, and that agent has been helping me get showcased."
Deaver's first professional season begins in March and continues into the fall. She's scheduled to leave for Australia in late January or early February.
"I actually know someone who works for an agency in Australia so I contacted him, sent him a highlight clip of Kayla and they were very interested," Sohn said. "It was up to Kayla, I put them in touch and they figured out a way to make it happen.
"I'm just really glad it worked out and I could help her in that process but at the end of the day she is the one who plays. She's earned this opportunity."
Deaver played three seasons for Wesleyan after transferring from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She ranked sixth in the NAIA in goals this fall and set a KWU single match record with six goals against Bethany on October 12. She earned First Team All-Kansas Conference honors for the third time.
Bayside United competes in the second highest level of women's soccer in Australia and gives Deaver a goal.
"It's basically the B League so if I go out there and prove myself I have chances to get recruited by the top league," she said.
Deaver admits there will be nerves initially but knows she ultimately has to do what she's always done on the pitch.
"My mindset is just play soccer," she said. "Nobody knows me out there, I have to go and show myself. Of course, I'm nervous but just like previous interviews it's about playing. If I can go out there and not think about it, just do what I know I can do then I'm sure I'll succeed."
Sohn says Deaver is a complete player.
"I think her soccer IQ is what really makes her stand out," he said. "She is extremely soccer smart; she can strike a ball like no one else. She can dribble, she can cut, she has all the tools to be a professional soccer player."
The biggest adjustment could be off the pitch where Deaver will have to acclimate herself to a new country and culture. She's one of two Americans on the team and will live with a host family along with a teammate who's from Japan. Deaver said there's also two Europeans on the squad.
"I've never been that far, it's definitely going to be a culture shock," she said, "but I'm really excited to get there and learn new things. All I know is here and you're not going to get very far if you don't try."
Sohn, who came to the United States from Germany to play college soccer, offered some insight and advice.
"Be yourself, embrace the culture and dive into it headfirst," he said. "It's going to be different. There's not necessarily right or wrong, there's different so you've got to accept that and embrace it.
"On the other hand, don't forget who you are and where you come from – keep a little bit of Kansas and Missouri, a little bit of America and home. The values your parents taught you and the culture you grew up in makes you who you are."
Deaver said the first obstacle has been securing a visa.
"I'm in the process of filling out my visa application," she said. "It's hard, like 20 pages long. We got to page two and I was like 'I need help.'"
Sohn has no doubts Deaver will succeed.
"She's going to be very successful no matter where she ends up playing in the world or in America," he said. "She has a future in the game for sure."