Langley’s Brooke Mussche has made a name for herself in the track and field realm, and now she’s earning accolades in the world of soccer.
The 15-year-old forward is being crowned BC Soccer’s female youth player of the year during an awards ceremony next month.
The award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding achievements at the district/league, provincial, national, or international level, explained Langley United’s member services coordinator Lynda Mulder.
And being on the receiving end of such acknowledgement, Brooke said, makes her “feel that all that hard work has paid off.”
Brooke, who is a Grade 10 student at Langley Christian High School, also belongs to the Langley Mustangs track and field club – where she competes in 400- and 800-metre races.
Between soccer and track, she trains six days a week.
She started soccer in Grade 6, the same time she started track. Scoring her first point in her very first game, she’s never looking back.
“One of my friends got me into it, and said I should try out. So, I was ‘like why not,’ cause I always had a passion for soccer,” Brooke shared with the Langley Advance.
“I’ve always kinda did soccer for fun, because track is what I always loved more, but [I] ended up taking it very serious when it came down to the game or practices,” she added. “So, getting this recognition and award was a great deal for me.”
Brooke will receive the award on June 10, during an awards and scholarship luncheon in Burnaby.
She shares much of the credit for the award and her successes in sports to her father, Charlie.
“I couldn’t have gotten this far without my dad,who has always pushed me to do my best and have fun while doing it, as well as the amazing players and coaches who work so hard to make our team successful and are very supportive and encouraging when playing a game,” Brooke said.
It’s all those people who have made soccer a fun and enjoyable sport for the teenager.
“They are always what keeps me going and makes me more determined to play my best,” she added, saying the award gives her more determination to work hard.
• Click here to see an interview at the 2014 BC High School Cross Country Championships
