As we recognize all fathers today, we would like to recognize two fathers on our staff. Goalkeeper Coach Brenton Saylor and High Performance Coach Corey Ashe are both fathers of young girls. The dynamic of working with the current generation of women who are setting a new standard and breaking barriers while raising the next generation of women isn’t lost on Saylor and Ashe. It’s clear they learn from the players just as much as the players learn from them day in and day out.
“I hear a lot of coaches say they got into coaching on the women’s side because of having a daughter, but I’ve coached on the women’s side and been a strong supporter since the beginning of my coaching career. So, that part hasn’t changed,” Saylor explained. “I just hope that as my daughter gets older, she can appreciate their qualities, personalities and the overall great people they are.”
The goalkeeper coach has worked in the women’s game for years, including three seasons with the women’s soccer program at Rice University before joining the Houston Dash.
Ashe shared, “When I come to work and see the players, I see a lot of qualities I want my daughter to have. I see confidence, strength, hard workers and courage when I see our players.”
Former Houston Dynamo FC player Corey Ashe is a newer addition to the staff, joining the Dash during the 2020 Fall Series, three years after retiring from professional soccer.
“Working with the Dash ladies is very rewarding and a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s great to work with a group that competes as hard as they do day in and day out.”
On working with the Dash, Saylor expressed, “It is challenging and rewarding. You are working with athletes with the highest of standards and small margins can make the difference. With that comes pressure, because you want to be able to deliver and aid them in the process of winning as a team and accomplishing their individual goals. Knowing how hard the athletes work and what they go through, it is an unbelievable feeling when you see them win and achieve success.”
Both Saylor and Ashe have fully embraced being a girl dad since becoming fathers. Being empowered by the women they work with daily has translated into their homes as well, as they both continuously encourage and support their daughters to reach for any goal or dream.
“In our household we tell her to dream big and the more that women are being recognized and seen as equal the better it is for the little girls around the world,” Ashe explained.
Aside from helping our players achieve success both personally and as a club, Saylor and Ashe can watch these players lay the groundwork for the next generation of women. To know their daughters are following in their footsteps, especially during a time women seem to be more empowered than ever, is something special for both fathers.
“As my daughter gets older, I want to make sure she doesn’t take anything for granted because I have seen the other side and know what these players have done to create better conditions, equality and opportunities for future generations, like my daughter, who can benefit from it so much,” Saylor said.
Ashe echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “Women are being empowered daily and as a father of a girl I think the more she sees this the more she understands anything is possible.”
