Joles chasing national stage

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star - March 23, 2008

Jessa Joles logs more highway miles than your average long-haul trucker. For years now, the Coldstream product has been making the five-hour, 450-kilometres journey to play centre-midfield for the U16 SurDel (Surrey and Delta) Sting of the Girls Metro Soccer League.

She made yet another trip to the Lower Mainland recently, this time to display her talent for Canada’s national team coaches at a three-day training/scouting clinic at the National Training Centre in Langley.

“The first time was really hard, but I tried to put that nervous energy into positive energy,” said Joles. If they liked what they saw, it was lucky for you.”

She couldn’t have been that nervous, as her U16 NTC team managed to take down the U18 Whitecaps 1-0 in an exhibition game.

“I like the rush of it, and socially it’s fun as well,” said Joles, who lists American soccer great Mia Hamm as one of her idols. “I like the hard impact of it, and it keeps me out of trouble, too. It’s part of my life... like a habit.

“My social life does suffer here, but I can honestly say I have lots of friends in the Lower Mainland. My Vancouver soccer girls are great. I have friends here too, and they’re supportive. I just never have time to hang out with them.”

Joles’ effort on and off the pitch appears to be earning her recognition, as things continue to fall into place for the 15-year-old. She was named to the U16 provincial team for the second year running, and she recently traveled to Boise, Idaho to compete in an invitational tournament with the Vancouver Whitecaps prospects team.

However, Joles’ road to success hasn’t been without adversity. Last fall, she spent four days in children’s hospital after she became seriously ill with an autoimmune disorder that affected her liver. In addition to having to work harder to regain her fitness levels once she recovered, she will be on meds for the next five years.

“She has to be physically fit at her size (5-foot-2), or she’d get pounded,” said Joles’ father, Mike, who doubles as her chauffeur on her trips to the Lower Mainland. “It’s just nice to know someone from the Interior of B.C. can make it, but it takes a huge commitment. This is some serious youth soccer.”

Joles is the first to acknowledge that she wouldn’t be doing this without the support of her family, who moved to Vernon from Prince George five years ago.

“They’ve been really supportive and they deserve a big part in this as well.”

Joles credits older sister, Tia, with being the one who got her interested in sports as a youngster.

“I did learn a lot from her. I’d go and watch her play, and it looked like a lot of fun. She’s been very supportive.”

Although she scores her share of goals, Joles is more renowned for being able to place her passes with surgeon-like accuracy.

“I’m more like a target player, a link between the offence and defence,” said Joles.

Andy Waughman, who runs high-level training camps in Vernon, has high hopes for Joles’ soccer career.

“She’s the ultimate, there’s no other word for it,” said Waughman. “It is my dream that she’ll be the first female from the Okanagan to play for Canada.

“She’s probably the hardest working player I’ve had the privilege to coach. It justifies the effort when you see the pure ability that Jessa has.

“She’s a very gifted two-footed player, and she is pure tenacity. The ball might get by her once in a while, but the player won’t. I’ve watched her grow into a force to be reckoned with.

“I’ve told her since she was a child that when she plays for Canada, I want a seat in the front row with her mom and dad.”

Given her natural ability and determination, it is inevitable that collegiate scouts will soon come knocking on Joles’ door sometime in the future, and she appears willing to make the most of it.

“I don’t know how far away from home I want to go, but I’m definitely open to it. It’s definitely in the books.”

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Joles chasing national stage

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