November 1, 2019, by brzmjb1

Student Sporting Stories | Kayla Kret

Student Athletes invest thousands of hours into their sports — training in the off-seasons combined with practices, games and travel during their seasons — so they can wear “Green and Gold” across their chest with pride.

Sadly, this week we will be saying goodbye to a student who has, for the past 7 years embodied the values of sport, health and wellbeing at the University of Nottingham with upmost class.

Throughout the past 7 years, footballer Kayla Kret has been able to call Nottingham, “home”.

The full athletic scholar and graduate from California State University, joined the University of Nottingham in 2014 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomaterials and Biomechanics.

Dropping straight into the Women’s Football and Futsal first team as a UoN Sport Scholar, Kayla made an immediate impact as in the squad as an imposing, strong and resilient centre half. Leading from the back, her strength and solidity underpinned everything the team was trying to achieve in the British University and College League under then Head Coach, Tanya Oxtoby.

Over her 7 seasons, she has played under 3 coaches at University of Nottingham including Tanya, Becky Langley and more recently the newly appointed James Barlow. All have given glowing commendation for her attitude, application and desire to win.

When not playing, training or studying, Kayla dedicated her time to coaching and managing the Women’s Football 3rd Team, supporting the development of her fellow students.

It is perhaps unsurprising that her inspiration in sport comes in the form of Matt Kemp, the former LA Dodger who is currently playing for the Cinncinnati Reds in MLB. A inspirational leader on-and-off the field, Kemp has proved a formative figure in how Kret approaches her role in Women’s Football in 2017/18 she was selected as captain of the team.

During her time at the University, female participation levels in women’s football have increased, in particular in Futsal a shorter format of the game. Her time on the pitch has also been a successful one and Kayla has been involved in securing 7 straight Futsal Varsity titles against arch rivals NTU.

She will leave the University of Nottingham this week to peruse a new job following the conclusion of her PhD in Bioengineering where she will graduate in the Winter.

All at UoN Sport from coaches, physios, staff teammates and would like to wish her the very best of luck in the future – she will be sorely missed!
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Over the course of this season we will be bringing you a number of Student Sporting Stories

If you have a story you would like to share then please contact Charlotte.Gauja@nottingham.ac.uk 

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