Lindsay Hargreaves is one serious soccer fanatic.
Kicking a soccer ball and netting goals since the age of four, the six-foot tall 14-year-old is a powerful threat to her opponents on the pitch.
Through her high-caliber play with the Victoria Capitals in the United Soccer Leagues Super-Y league, Hargreaves was selected to attend a Super-Y league Olympic development program national camp, in Florida, starting March 1.
The Langford teen will train with about 200 top youth athletes from across North America at a four-day camp at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., a facility where top athletes train from around world.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the new people and the coaches,” Hargreaves said.
During the Super-Y summer league, coaches would select an opposing player who stood out. Then at the end of the summer the nominations were added up and one player from each team was selected to go to the national camp.
“I have a pretty powerful kick and I am fast,” the defender and midfielder said. Her height is an added advantage for “good headers and over all strength.”
The camp brings the added pressure of soccer scouts looking for future prospective players for top U.S. universities.
“I really want a scholarship for somewhere in the States,” Hargreaves said, adding she would like to study to be a teacher.
Knowing the scouts are watching isn’t anything new for her though. Last year she received a prospect letter from the University of Texas.
“They can’t offer her a scholarship until she is in Grade 11,” explained Hargreaves mother, Toby Hargreaves.
Living on the Island allows Hargreaves to play year-round. During the winter she plays for the U15 Vancouver Island Wave in the EA Sports B.C. Premier League.
That team practises out of Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence twice a week and has one game a week.
Players from across the Island play against teams in the lower Mainland. The league began in the end of January.
Between the Wave and the Super-Y, she also plays on the lower Island Metro Victoria Capitals. For Hargreaves, soccer has no off-season.
Even during school the Grade 9 student thinks about soccer as a three-year member of the Dunsmuir middle school soccer academy.
“It’s just extra practice for me and it’s much more fun than gym class.”
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com