Ava’s Soccer Journey: From Early Kicks to Rising Star
Ava’s love for soccer started even before she could walk. In fact, her dad was determined from the beginning that she would become a soccer star, and he worked tirelessly with her to bring that dream to life. By the age of two, Ava was already on the field, showing a natural talent that left everyone impressed. Now, at just 12 years old, her future looks incredibly bright. Coaches and parents alike often say, “She has a lot of potential” and “She has a great future ahead.” Some have even asked for her autograph after watching her play!
Birth to Age 3: The Beginning
Ava was born on July 21, 2012, and it didn’t take long before soccer became a central part of her life. By May 2014, she was playing in her first organized program, Lil Kickers, where she learned the basics through fun activities like chasing bubbles and dribbling to score goals. She had a blast, especially when she got to play as the goalie! From there, she moved on to Soccer Shots, participating in multiple seasons and summer camps, refining her skills through programs designed for young players.
In Fall 2016, Ava joined Mini Kickers, a program that helped her develop coordination, agility, and confidence. She excelled in every activity, showing signs of her athletic talent.
Ages 4 to 6: First Real Games
As Ava turned 4, she was ready for more serious soccer, joining local recreation leagues to experience real matches. Her parents registered her with three different clubs to maximize her practice time and experience. Though juggling conflicting schedules was challenging, Ava handled it like a pro, eager to get as much time on the field as possible. She played for teams like the Mudpuppies, Tornadoes, and Avengers, gaining valuable experience in real match settings.
By the time she was 6, Ava was already standing out, playing with teams like Blue Storm and Avengers. She consistently impressed coaches and parents with her commitment, energy, and natural ability on the field.
Playing Up: U7 at Age 5
In Spring 2018, Ava took a significant step by playing up an age group with the U7 Southwest Lady Rockets, a team in the Coastal Area Mini Soccer League. The transition wasn’t easy; the older girls were bigger and faster, and her father, who had always been her mentor, was away that season. Despite these challenges, Ava learned resilience. Although the team faced many losses, Ava was the sole goal scorer for her team and ended the season on a high note by scoring a memorable goal in the semi-final.
U8 and U9: A Rising Star
Ava’s development continued with the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC Juniors Program in 2019, where her potential was further recognized. She had the honor of meeting Kim Crabbe, the first African American to play with the USWNT back in 1986 during her time with WHYFC. Coach Kim brought her to her first NWSL game, where she met many of the NC Courage players like Crystal Dunn and Stephanie Labbe. Kim also arranged for Ava to be part of the half time show of the International Champions Cup of 2019, where she showed off her juggling skills against teenagers.
Ava played in multiple summer camps, and by Fall 2019, she was the lead goal scorer for her recreation team, the Southwest Lady Rockets, scoring over 50 goals in just 10 games.
The Move to Japan: New Adventures Abroad
In early 2020, Ava’s family moved to Japan, where she joined the Brazilian Soccer Club (BSC) in Okinawa. She quickly made her mark, participating in summer camps and training sessions with both local and international players, further honing her skills in a new environment. Ava’s talent shone through when she was awarded MVP at the 2020 Kids Soccer Tournament. In August 2022, she won MVP at the Sunrise Town Cup in Yonabaru, receiving a special Kylian Mbappé PSG kit as recognition.
During her time with BSC, Ava had the incredible opportunity to train with the legendary Brazilian soccer player Zico at the launch of his new training school, Zico 10, in Okinawa. She also expanded her versatility by learning beach soccer and futsal, pushing her development even further. Ava competed in several prestigious tournaments, including the International Challenge Cup and the Genius Cup, gaining invaluable experience against top-level talent.
Outside of BSC, Ava trained with local Okinawan players at the Boa Sorte Soccer School, where she overcame the language barrier and learned their unique style of play.
Later in 2022, Ava joined the European Football Academy Okinawa (EFAO) to immerse herself in the European style of soccer, continuing to refine her skills and tactical understanding.
During her three years in Okinawa, Ava also participated in two recreational seasons, playing for the White Knights and later the Habu Snakes. She was the top goal scorer and lead both teams to win championship titles. Unfortunately, during the championship game with the Habu Snakes, she was heavily targeted and suffered an ankle injury that plagued her for months, a setback that tested her resilience but didn’t deter her passion for the game.
Moving to California – Coming Soon!