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with them and they can get the best deal possible.”
Nearly 2,000 American universities and colleges offer
sports scholarships or financial assistance. But navigating
through the process of acceptance is time-consuming and
fraught with pitfalls for most parents and coaches. Now the
area representative for College Prospects of America Inc.,
Diana works with athletes to prepare them for the recruitment
process and to reduce the amount that parents must
pay for their child’s post secondary education.
FROM FANS TO VOLUNTEERS
When Yvonne Boyer’s daughter Jade Fletcher, 16,
played soccer for the first time, she was in Grade 4. In a
sport where most youngsters begin team play when they
have barely begun school, Jade had a late start. The
youngest of four children — none of whom were soccer
players — Yvonne describes her daughter’s presence on
the field as “ferocious.”
Yvonne and husband, Marvin Fletcher, are Jade’s
biggest fans.
“I didn’t know anything about soccer when she started
playing,” admits Yvonne. “After two years in houseleague it
became clear that she could move to the next level, so I
just started phoning around until I found someone who
knew where she should be.”
Jade was only 12 years old when regular road trips
became part of the game for her. For the past three years she
has played for the Ottawa Fury U-16 team in the New
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The Fletcher’s have experienced the competitive
soccer system and remain supportive despite a
busy life and countless hours of driving.
England league. Even with an intense April through August
schedule, her parents are always in the stands cheering her on.
“We go to all the games,” says Yvonne. “There is maybe
one game all season that we don’t attend. She travels with
the team by bus and we drive and camp.”
Alan Pfahl, Gloucester Soccer Association’s (GSA) director
of communications, states unequivocally that “the majority
of parents with children in the competitive program
make a significant commitment one way or another.”
His 15-year-old daughter Chanel is old enough to recognize
and appreciate her father’s efforts. “He is always
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Ottawa Page 40 Due West/Due East Magazine • Summer 2008
PHOTO: KAREN SECORD