Becoming BYU: The Women’s Soccer Experience in New Zealand

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” Mosiah 2:17

Author Brenna Seeman
Becoming BYU: The Women’s Soccer Experience in New ZealandBecoming BYU: The Women’s Soccer Experience in New Zealand

PROVO, Utah – The BYU women’s soccer team has returned from a two-week humanitarian trip to New Zealand, spreading the love and mission of BYU Athletics along the way.

In his inaugural address as the 14th president of BYU, President C. Shane Reese challenged the BYU community to focus on "Becoming BYU."

The women’s soccer program focused on the following five main components of President Reese’s invitation as the central message and purpose of their service trip abroad: Strengthening the student experience, embracing BYU's "double heritage," having the courage to be different, building a covenant community and individual growth and spiritual reflection.

Our task, I submit, is to claim in our day the prophecies of the past. Our task is to become the university that prophets have foretold—to become the world’s “greatest institution of learning” and “the fully anointed university of the Lord about which so much has been spoken in the past” and to become the BYU of prophecy and promise as boldly declared by President Dallin H. Oaks: “It is the destiny of Brigham Young University to become what those prophetic statements predicted it would become.” This great goal will not be obtained in exactly the same way that other universities have achieved their greatness. This, then, is our challenge during my administration: becoming BYU.

C. Shane ReesePresident of BYU

Strengthening the Student Experience

To truly become the university BYU aspires to be, President Reese admonished the BYU campus community to continue to elevate the student experience and build on the strong student-first foundation already set in place here. A top priority remains each student’s eternal growth and ensuring students have spiritually enriching and educationally inspiring experiences.

“This trip has helped me feel the Spirit stronger than ever, and I think everyone on our team could agree," said freshman Afton Perry. "We had so many opportunities to participate in devotionals by singing, giving talks and sharing our testimonies of Christ. The people of New Zealand are amazing, and they all have the light of Christ inside of them. I am so lucky to have been able to feel their light and spend time with such amazing people. This trip has also been very inspiring for my education, because I have been able to learn so many new things about people’s culture and background."

“Our time in New Zealand has been both spiritually enriching and educationally inspiring," said BYU defender Ella Rustand. "Having the opportunity to speak of Jesus Christ and testify of His goodness has brought our team and the New Zealanders so much joy. This trip is also educationally inspiring as we get the chance to learn about the culture here in New Zealand. Growing appreciation for foreign cultures brings a greater understanding and educational capacity to us."

“This trip has strengthened my student experience at BYU tremendously," said forward Halle Dixon. "BYU’s motto is ‘enter to learn, go forth to serve.’ Having the unique opportunity and ability to have real-world experience serving in such a beautiful country has opened my eyes and encouraged me to dream bigger and strive to make an impact on my community in a more profound and deeper way.”

Embracing BYU’s “Double Heritage”

Fulfilling BYU’s prophetic mission requires fully embracing its religious foundation while also engaging confidently and credibly with the broader academic world. To do this effectively, staff and students must be fluent in both the language of their academic fields and the language of faith.

“This trip has really helped me understand what BYU means by a 'double heritage,'" said junior Addie Gardner. "I’ve learned so much, both about the people and culture here and about the gospel. It reminded me that gaining an education isn’t just about books and classes, but also about learning how to love and serve others like Christ did."

"This trip was so spiritually enriching and educationally inspiring because I was able to strengthen my testimony and knowledge through serving others," said midfielder Ella Labrum. "I felt the spirit each time I came into contact with someone new and gained new perspectives when I was able to learn their story. I know that God put specific people in New Zealand for me to meet and impact my life in ways that I could have never imagined."

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"This trip has helped me to be spiritually enriched by being able to serve all the people in New Zealand, especially the kids," said freshman Cassidy Drago. "I have not only been able to feel the Spirit through learning their culture and understanding why they do what they do, but I have also been able to feel the Spirit by them serving me. This has also been extremely educationally inspiring for me because I have been able to learn about so many different traditions that they have and have been able to grow a deeper gratitude for the situations I am in back at home."

Having the Courage to be Different

Fulfilling BYU’s mission will sometimes require the boldness to stand apart. Our strength comes from our distinct identity as the flagship institution within the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like other faith-based institutions, our influence depends on how fully we embrace and build upon our religious foundation.

“This trip has helped me understand that Becoming BYU is about living with purpose, service, and courage—no matter where we are in the world,” said senior forward Mackenzee Vance. “Being in New Zealand and immersing ourselves in the Māori culture, serving local communities and connecting with people through soccer has shown me how powerful it is to represent something bigger than myself. I’ve learned that standing out doesn’t always mean being different on the surface—it means having the courage to live your values boldly, and to serve wholeheartedly, through kindness, humility and excellence. That’s what makes BYU different, and this trip reminded me of the privilege and responsibility we have to carry that wherever we go.”

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“This trip to New Zealand has taught me that courage can look different for everyone, and sometimes, it shows up in the most unexpected ways,” said sophomore defender Presley Freeman. “While serving in refugee camps, experiencing the devotionals and firesides as someone who isn't a member of the Church, and learning about the Māori culture, I’ve been inspired by the quiet strength of others.

One moment that really stuck with me was during a haka at the Whangārei Stake. There was a boy who had been quiet during our devotional, barely speaking—but when the haka began, he transformed. He poured everything into it, moving with confidence and power. It was as if the strength of his ancestors flowed through him, giving him courage to stand tall and be seen. His bravery helped me see that true confidence often comes from knowing where you come from and embracing it fully. I hope to carry that same courage with me as I continue to 'Become BYU.'”

Building a Covenant Community

To truly become the university envisioned in prophetic counsel, BYU must help students deepen their understanding of covenant belonging—a concept Elder D. Todd Christofferson described as being rooted in sacrifice and service. Belonging isn’t just about feeling included; it’s about what we give of ourselves, to others and to God. 

"Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have asked that we build connections through serving others," said BYU captain Avery Frischknecht. "By serving and loving others, we are serving our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Showing charity and love help foster an environment of planting seeds and relationships in Christ. By getting to serve the people in New Zealand, we were able to plant seeds, and share the gospel through our words, talents and deeds." 

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“One of the coolest parts of this trip has been how we’ve built a covenant community through connecting and meeting so many people," said BYU captain Ellie Walbruch. "Whether we’re sharing our testimonies, or just exploring new places we have had so many chances to meet people and share our light. Just by being who we are—representing BYU, living our standards and showing love—we’ve been able to make an impact. It reminded me that being part of a covenant community means lifting others, bringing the Spirit wherever we go and helping people feel seen and valued.” 

Individual Growth and Spiritual Reflection 

Becoming the BYU envisioned by prophetic leaders requires each of us to engage in personal reflection and spiritual growth. 

“While being here I have had the opportunity to share my love for soccer which I’m so passionate about," said BYU sophomore Lucy Kesler. "The soccer camps and being at the refuge center was so impactful. Seeing the joy we brought to the kids makes me so grateful for the gift I have to play the game I love, with people I love, and share it with others. I'm also very grateful for the chance I had to share my testimony and participate in devotionals with youth and young adults from this part of the world. It has opened my eyes to the courage and strength of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide who are devoted to sharing the light of Christ. Showing that no matter how far apart us children of God are, we are all connected through His gospel.”

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"The biggest way I’ve grown individually on this trip was by remembering to always put my focus on Jesus Christ," said defender Izzi Stratton. "I become more like the Savior as I put my focus on Him in all I say and think. The experiences I had in New Zealand helped remind me that I’m so much more than just a soccer player. Above all, I am a daughter of God."