Shooting for the highest possible level

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2016 (3504 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Seeing a young athlete’s plan come together is a wonderful thing.

Melissa Bustos is a 17-year-old grade 12 student at Garden City Collegiate who has razor-sharp focus and has dedicated her life to achieving her soccer dreams.

Melissa recently signed a letter of intent with the University of British Columbia to play with its women’s soccer program.

“It made me feel honoured. I am proud of what I have achieved so far. My future is bright. This is just the beginning of a dream come true,” she says.

Melissa comes from a soccer family. Her dad Alex has played at a high level his whole life and is also involved with coaching and training. Her brother Marco plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian men’s national team and her oldest brother Michael lives, eats, and breathes the game as both a player and referee. Mom Rosa is the backbone of it all.

“Growing up in a soccer family is huge because my dad played for a long time and he brought the game to us,” Melissa says.

“Watching my brothers have success in the game influenced me to work hard and get better. Soccer is a huge passion and something that is very important in my life. I don’t think that will ever change.”
Currently a trialist in the Girls Elite REX Prospects program, a joint venture of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Manitoba Soccer Association, Melissa is training five or six times a week in pursuit of her ultimate goal.

“My dream is to play soccer at the highest level,” she says. “With Canada’s women’s national team.”
Melissa wanted to make sure she thanked her parents.

“Thank you for supporting me through everything and putting the time in to help me get better at the game,” she says. “Your guidance and teachings have helped to push me to not only be a better soccer player but also a better person.

“I would not be where I am without you.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca