Get To Know Your Coach - Jordan Grigg & Shania Van Herk

For coaches and longtime friends Jordan Grigg and Shania Van Herk, soccer has always been more than a game; it’s been a way to build friendships, confidence, and community. As co-coaches within our recreational house league program, they’re passing those same experiences on to the next generation of female athletes.

Jordan’s soccer journey began at age seven. She played through childhood until high school, when she shifted her focus to varsity rugby. Years later, she returned to soccer, playing in our Women’s League, and discovered the She’s Got Game program. Jordan decided to try coaching in 2022 and invited Shania along to share the experience.

For Shania, soccer has always been a family affair. Her dad coached when she was growing up, and she and her siblings all played under him at some point. She played house league and co-ed travel teams, taking breaks along the way. After rediscovering the game post-COVID, Shania jumped at Jordan’s invitation to coach. “I didn’t even hesitate,” she recalls. “Coaching gives you a unique opportunity to inspire kids and create a fun, inclusive environment where they can grow.”

Together, Jordan and Shania describe their coaching style as fun, positive, and focused on building good habits early on. Whether it’s silly sideline moments, skill-building games, or encouraging new players to try goalie; their priority is making sure every child associates soccer with confidence, laughter, and belonging. “With this age group, trust is everything,” Jordan explains. “They remember every word you say, and you want those memories to be good ones.”

Over the past three summer seasons, the duo has coached within the U8 Girls House League division, creating countless memories along the way. Jordan fondly remembers the summer her team became the unofficial “Fruit Bats” after a halftime joke about orange slices, while Shania treasures the look of pride on a player’s face after trying something new for the first time.

Their greatest achievement is the simple yet powerful, when players finish a season asking to come back next year. “That’s when we know we’ve done our job,” they agree.

Outside of soccer, Jordan enjoys playing soccer in multiple adult leagues around Guelph, going to the gym, reading, and spending time with her cat, Mitzi. She also works in agriculture, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices. Shania loves playing volleyball, swimming, walking, baking arts and crafts, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

For both Jordan and Shania, coaching is about more than teaching soccer. They want to give kids the same joy, lessons, and confidence that sports gave them. “We hope every girl leaves our team knowing soccer can be fun, inclusive, and something they can carry with them for life.”