Mila Van der Veen '19 Recruiting Profile

My name is Mila Van der Veen. I will graduate from high school in 2019 and am looking to take my soccer career to the next level by playing varsity college soccer. At the age of 4, soccer was one of the sports my parents wanted me to try and although at first I was reluctant I soon had a change in heart and fell in love with it. Since then it has been my primary sport while participating in as many school sports as my schedule would allow. With soccer being my top priority next to my academics I’ve had some opportunities over the years that have helped to excel my game, most recently being selected for the FC Edmonton Canada/Alberta soccer REX Program, and a few years back being selected for the Alberta North Provincial team the two years that I was eligible for it. My first year on the team, letting my nerves get the best of me, I wasn’t selected for the Game of Distinction (the All Star Game at the Western Canada tournament); however the following year I focused on my mental toughness and was chosen for that year’s Game of Distinction.

Being brought up in a home where from a young age goal setting and hard work have been the focus I learned that like anything else, what I put in as an athlete is what I get out on the field, so I am continuously working at my craft and taking every opportunity to improve my game. Although I would be considered more on the quiet side, when I’m on the field I am a strong communicator and thrive on filling a leadership role. I prefer to play in an outside position but when needed have been very successful in other positions making me a well-rounded player.

I was selected for the 2017/2018 fall/winter REX Program which is a development program intended to be a feeder for the Canadian National Team. Prior to being in REX I was selected to play with the Junior Pandas, which is the University of Alberta’s grade 10-12 Training Program where we train at the same level as the university varsity team as well as play friendlies against other university teams within Western Canada. This has been a great opportunity to give me a taste of what the commitment level will be when playing soccer at the college level. The club team that I’ve been playing with since 2014 placed third in the Province at the U14 level.

In addition to moving forward and continuing with the sport I love, I also want to continue working hard on my academics for the rest of my high school years and into my post secondary education years.