Twelve-year-old Leon Meili has been practising with the Vancouver Whitecaps Pre-Prospect training program at the Northern Academy in Prince George.
He is one of the several young players in the Okanagan area to be selected for the program.
Leon is an incredibly athletic young boy who loves to compete in any sport. Whenever he isn't racing after the ball in one of his U12 100 Mile House soccer matches, he's racing for the finish line at the 100 Mile House Elementary School track meets.
He is a big fan of competing and is quite honest about why he likes to do it.
“Well, I guess it's because I'm kind of good at it.”
Leon has been part of the program since April after his mother, Fawn, signed him up on the Whitecaps website. Fawn says she was overjoyed when they received the acceptance e-mail.
“It was really great because he has been so determined to get in. We were all very proud.”
The program is the first stage of the Whitecaps prospect program. The next stage is Prospect level, with the third and final stage is playing for the Whitecap's official prospect team in Vancouver.
Leon goes to Quesnel to train with the other pre-prospect players every Saturday after his U12 games. He travels to Prince George every month to face off against other pre-prospect teams.
Even though he has to play more than five hours of soccer a day, Leon says he never feels the desire to slow down.
“I get a little tired, but I like doing it. I hope to play for the main Whitecaps team one day.”
The training is consistent and always keeps the young players on their toes. They even send videos throughout the week featuring moves and drills to practise for next training session.
Leon says it's a lot of work, but he enjoys learning new skills.
“[The program] has taught me a lot of things like how to move the ball faster or how to do step overs.”
Whitecaps North Academy head coach Craig Angus compliments Leon on his never-ending tenacity.
“His approach to training has been terrific. His attitude, effort, hard work, and application has been first class.”
Every month a new boy and girl is chosen to join the program. Leon joins his friend and fellow 100 Mile U12 soccer player Lee Koch, 12, who joined the program two years ago.
It's fun to play with someone you know, Leon adds.
While playing for the official Whitecaps team is a long way off, his love for soccer will hold him over for the time being.
“I wanna play soccer for as long as I possibly can.”