Nanaimo’s Wilkinson to don Maple Leaf
Island soccer product to play for Canada at women’s U-17 World Cup in Uruguay
Jazmine Wilkinson grew up in Nanaimo inspired by watching her soccer role models such as Christine Sinclair play in the World Cup and Olympics.
The Islander now gets to don a national team jersey herself as one of 21 players named Monday to the Canadian team for the FIFA women’s U-17 World Cup. Wilkinson and her teammates leave today for Uruguay, where the tournament takes place Nov. 13 to Dec. 1. Canada will be in Pool D with Spain, South Korea and Colombia in Montevideo.
Wilkinson came out of the Harbour City FC, Upper Island Storm and Vancouver Island Wave programs.
“All those coaches made me the player I am,” she said.
Which elevated her to join the Vancouver Whitecaps girls’ elite residency program in August. Wilkinson wasn’t invited to a single national team camp, nor was she selected for the CONCACAF qualifier this year in Florida. But her previous progress on the Island, and in two months with the Whitecaps, could not be denied as she joins Whitecaps Residency-teammates Jordyn Huitema of Chilliwack and Caitlin Shaw of Vancouver as the three B.C. players named to the Canadian team for the World Cup.
“It’s now only starting to hit me,” said Wilkinson.
“I am happy, excited and nervous at the same time.”
It’s been a whirlwind, with the biggest life change being the move to the Whitecaps residency program in August and bidding goodbye to family, including dad Douglas Wilkinson and mom Michelle Bulmer, Island teammates and schoolmates at Nanaimo District Secondary.
“It’s a big sacrifice to make but the rewards have been worth it,” said Wilkinson.
Being on national-team stream now, even at U-17, means the chance to dream of senior events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.
“This is just the beginning and those things are a long way off,” Wilkinson cautioned.
“But it’s something to think about in the future, for sure.”
Another career benchmark comes when the Grade 11 student decides on a U.S. NCAA Division 1 scholarship to gain an education while also furthering her soccer career.
“I’m in the process now and hope to commit by the spring time,” she said.
Wilkinson has improved at every level, which is the progression coaches look for in athletes.
“I started at four years old and got better at every step, made rep level, and then went on to the [VIPL] Vancouver Island Premier League,” noted Wilkinson.
The midfielder’s trajectory is hot, but her play is cool and calculated.
“I am calm on the ball and like to create plays by laying on good passes,” said Wilkinson.
The prodigy on the Canadian U-17 national side is Huitema, who has been described as the heir apparent to Sinclair.
“I have admired Jordyn for so long and now I can’t believe I get to play with her at the World Cup,” said Wilkinson.
Canada has reached the quarter-finals of the U-17 World Cup three times, and will be coached in Uruguay by two-time Olympic bronze-medallist Rhian Wilkinson.
“I am really excited to have this opportunity for Canada Soccer, and I value the experience just like I did every time I pulled on that jersey with the Maple Leaf,” said Rhian Wilkinson, in a statement.
“I really believe in this U-17 team and I am looking forward to working with them to help them both perform on the pitch and learn from the experience to better prepare them for a career with Canada’s women’s national team.”
Rhian Wilkinson has lived out her ambitions from London to Rio. For Jazmine Wilkinson, the international dream is only just starting.