The Courage to Choose Your Own Direction – My Journey from Elite Athlete to Shaping the Future of the Sport
Looking back on my journey, one thing stands out: nothing has gone exactly according to plan. Instead, the path has been shaped by choices, moments, and people who have guided the direction, sometimes clearly, sometimes without me even noticing.
Football came into my life at the age of six and has been a strong part of my identity ever since. Over the years, fields, locker rooms, and teams have taught me more than any textbook ever could. They have shaped me as a person, but also as a leader. My playing career and years in the national team taught me above all resilience and the ability to face setbacks, handle uncertainty, and move forward even when things don’t go as planned.
Courage Often Shows in Choices Made Amid Uncertainty
Throughout my career, courage has not only been required in big, visible moments, but especially in quieter phases – when decisions must be made without knowing the outcome.
One of the most defining phases was the transition after my playing career. When one identity is left behind, a new one does not always appear immediately. It requires reflection, self-awareness, and above all, courage to start building something new without a clear roadmap. During that time, the people around me became especially important. Support, sparring, and sometimes direct challenges helped me see possibilities and believe that I would find my direction.
Life has also brought moments that have challenged me in entirely different ways than sports or work. A child’s serious illness forced everything to stop and shifted my perspective in a very real way. It reminded me of what truly matters, while also strengthening my ability to face uncertainty and keep going through difficult times. It also taught me to appreciate even small steps forward, both in life and in work.
Moving into a development role within elite sports has also required courage. It means continuous learning, the ability to see things from different perspectives, and readiness to make decisions that affect a broader whole. The work is rarely about quick wins, but about long-term development and transforming structures. It also involves engaging people in a shared direction, challenging ways of thinking, and building new ways of working.
People Make the Journey
Although my own efforts and responsibilities have been central, I would not be here without others. Mentors have played a crucial role in my career. They have provided perspective, helped structure my thinking, and most importantly, believed in me even when my own direction was not entirely clear.
One of the most important realizations has been understanding that you don’t have to – and shouldn’t – do everything alone. While I am someone who drives things forward, the best ideas and the most sustainable development are created together.
Networking has never been a goal in itself for me, but a natural part of working life. It has grown through collaboration, shared goals, and experiences. Networks have opened doors, but more importantly, they have provided new perspectives and opportunities to learn from others.
Meaning Comes from Direction
Today, I have the opportunity to do work that feels meaningful. In the development of the Briotech National League, the focus is clear: to ensure the best possible conditions for women’s football in Finland to grow and develop.
In practice, this means developing clubs’ capabilities and operations, strengthening the competitive level, and advancing the entire ecosystem. The work is not about individual projects, but continuous development where even small steps matter in the long run.
What motivates me most is the idea that together we can build something that lasts into the future, that future generations will have better opportunities than we had.
Work and Life Go Hand in Hand
A career is not separate from life – it is a part of it. Family brings balance and perspective. It reminds us that while work is important and meaningful, not everything is measured in achievements.
Balancing work and life is not always perfect. Sometimes one takes priority, sometimes the other. What matters most is accepting that and finding your own way to create a life that works in your current situation.
Thoughts for Those Entering Working Life
If I could give a few thoughts to young women, they would be:
Focus on what you can influence
Dare to try, even if you’re not completely sure
Surround yourself with people who support and challenge you
Don’t compare your journey too much to others
Take time to recognize what you have already achieved
In the end, it’s not just about a career, but about growth. Growth as a person, as a professional, and as part of a community. The same applies to the sport I have the privilege of helping to develop. Development doesn’t happen on its own; it requires investing in the right things, making clear choices, and setting priorities. Above all, it requires a shared direction, cooperation, and the determination to build something greater than what would be possible alone.
Minna Kauppinen
Development Manager, Briotech National League