She’s thankful to be able to pursue two dreams at the same time.
Ryley Bugay was away from the Philippine women’s national football team for over 10 months, but she wasn't injured. She wasn't tied up in club duty, too.
She was actually studying.
The former centerback and now defensive midfielder is not just a stud on the pitch, but also smart in school. She is currently studying to be a doctor, but she remains part of the Filipinas—something she is really thankful for.
“I was in a pretty unique situation. I was accepted into medical school, and so I completed my first year of training as a medical student. So I’ve been pretty lucky that the coaches and the staff have been pretty understanding of me trying to pursue two dreams at the same time,” Bugay said in a video posted on the national team’s Instagram page.
Being away from the game is not easy for any high-level athlete. The 27-year-old admitted she had to go through a process to get back into the thick of things.
“It was definitely an adjustment period coming back at first but I’m getting used to playing at a high level like we are in camp. It feels good to be back,” she stated.
“Camp has been good. We’ve been here for about a month now, so we’re kind of ramping up on intensity and kind of fine tuning the little details as we’re getting closer to leaving for New Zealand. But overall, it’s been a positive experience.”
Of course, it’s positive because representing the flag is a “dream come true” for Ryley. It's a way for her to honor her Filipino roots.
“For me, I think it’s really special. My mom’s side of the family if Filipino and I still have family there. For me being a Filipino is something that I take personally to heart and I try to embody that spirit an I hope to make the Philippines proud.”
Bugay hopes to make the final 23 that will compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be hosted by New Zealand and Australia on July 20.