Joelle Bader hopes to one day play for Canada’s senior women’s soccer team. Playing professionally is also a dream for the 16-year-old from Charlottetown.
If that happens – fantastic. If not, she’s checking to see if it’s not due to lack of trying.
“The only goal I want to achieve is to not regret anything, knowing that I worked as hard as I could to be the best I can be.”
Bader is on the right track. Last fall, she was the only Islander selected to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, the official Canadian Soccer National Development Centre.
The program hosts top female prospects from across Canada to school, train and play together in Burnaby, BC.
‘It was really touching’
Bader, who returned home for Christmas break, said he was grateful for the opportunity to play at a high level.
“The stadium — I was inside BC Place — I trained in the facility,” she said.
“Just to see what the potential is for women’s sports and the game growing, it’s been amazing. It’s been amazing.”
Joelle Bader is in her first season at the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, part of the National Development Center that brings together the best players in the country. Bader loves the experience and wants to be a role model for other Islanders.
Bader’s success comes as no surprise when Janos Barna, who was coaching PEI’s U-15 team, first discovered the young rookie.
“From the first time I saw her play, I knew she was a special player,” he said.
“I think she was 12 years old, and I was watching her play in the indoor complex, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ And I was joking. I said she could be playing on our team now. , then I think that will work.” “It was an under-15 team at the time.”
Turns out it wasn’t a joke. The following year, Bader played for the U-15 team. And as she grew and got stronger, her game got even better, Barna said.
“She had a skill set that I’ve never seen in anyone that young. Some of the things she could do to control the ball and control other players were definitely special.”
If I come at the end of the day and say I’m better today, I’m doing something right.— Joel Bader
But he said Bader’s success is the result of dedication as well as natural talent. He remembers the time she asked him to take the team ball home after practice.
“I was driving to work the next day and I met her at Simmons Field at 6:30, 7 in the morning before school, and she was there practicing free kicks, practicing her skills, but she just kept doing that. That’s what it’s all about, and she did it.”
Bader said he is looking forward to returning to BC after the holidays and continuing his passion for school (Grade 11) and soccer.
“It’s improving me every day,” she said. “Excellence is working on myself every day and improving every day.
“If I come to you in the evening and tell you that I feel better today, then I’m doing something right.”
