ODA’s Quinn Duffy using the summer to work on leadership skills for upcoming senior season in soccer

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - This week’s ABC7 Athlete of the Week is the Out-of-Door Academy’s (ODA) Quinn Duffy. He’s a rising senior for the Thunder and one of the standout players on the boys soccer team.

Although the season is months away from starting, Duffy says he’s eager to get back out on the pitch with his teammates. He feels that they’ve started building towards something that could culminate into a special season for the team next year.

“We’ve got the foundation,” Duffy said. “We’ve just got to build off that. Help the kids coming up from JV, and help them strengthen themselves. Obviously, we want to win that district title. We got so close to that last year. Hopefully, we make it all the way to the regional final and win that one too.”

One area where Duffy wants to keep improving is leadership. He’s using the opportunity to coach and mentor at the school’s soccer camp for students in elementary and middle school to help improve his leadership skills.

“It’s great,” Duffy said. “I love helping out the little kids. A lot of them got real potential. It’s hot, but we’re adjusting the best that we can. We give them a lot of water breaks.”

ODA’s athletic director, Andres Parra, tells ABC7 that he can already see how this is paying off. “It’s tremendous,” Andres said. “I think it allows them to see and evaluate their own game. They see things fundamentally. That’s what you’re breaking down for these guys.”

There are two words in particular that Duffy keeps saying throughout the camp, and that “challenge yourself.” He’s saying that the campers, but he tells ABC7 that it’s also a message to himself too.

“No matter what you’re doing in life It’s always important to challenge yourself,” Duffy said. “The more that you challenge yourself, the more that you’ll continue to improve.”

One of the campers, Christian Parra, says he appreciates all that Quinn is doing to help everyone at the camp improve upon when it comes to playing soccer. “Quinn teaches me a lot because he plays several positions,” Christian said. “I play striker. He’s been helping me a lot and teaching me different stuff.”

To Duffy, this is about more than the game. He’s hopeful that everyone here are learning lessons they can carry with them beyond soccer.

“Have fun,” Duffy said. “No matter what you’re doing, it’s important to enjoy yourself no matter what you’re doing. Challenge yourself. If you’re in school and you don’t understand a question, raise your hand and ask.”

Duffy also says that because of his experience this summer, he could definitely see himself as a coach one day.