Kovacevic named CCAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year

Kovacevic named CCAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year

Jade Kovacevic of the Fanshawe Falcons is the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.

Kovacevic received the award this evening during the CCAA All-Canadian Banquet at the 2018 CCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship, hosted by Douglas College in Coquitlam, BC.

She led the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and entire CCAA with 30 goals. Kovacevic had nine multiple-goal contests and paced the Falcons to a perfect 10-0 record and first-place finish in the OCAA West Division. 

“Jade is a gifted goal scorer, but she does more than just score goals, she is always thinking about the next play and best option,” said Marlene Ford, CCAA Women’s Soccer Convenor. “She leads by example, works incredibly hard for 90 minutes and is a tremendous leader on the field.”

Kovacevic is always motivating and pushing her teammates to perform and develop at the highest level possible. As captain at Fanshawe, she is also in constant communication with coaching staff to filter messages or support team principles on behalf of the staff.

She has also excelled in all academic courses and will be graduating at the completion of the 2018 school year.

Kovacevic was the head coach of the FC London U15/U16 girls program before being promoted to U21 head coach at FC London. She has helped elevate women’s soccer in London through advocacy and participation in community events and has been a mentor to several up-and-coming youth national team players and Ontario Provincial program members.

She also volunteers with the London Mini Stars House League program and is a counselor for a not-for-profit camp in elementary schools.

“Jade is an excellent role model and understands that she has been given an opportunity to influence the next generation of female soccer players – she is particularly passionate about supporting and helping young girls in both their soccer and personal development,” said Mike Marcoccia, head coach of the Falcons. “While she is an exceptional athlete, she is also an exceptional person with outstanding character.”

Other nominees for the CCAA Player of the Year award were Chloe Gummer of the VIU Mariners (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Deanna Kuan of the SAIT Trojans (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference), Karina Lemire of the Champlain Cavaliers (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and Nikita McCartney of the St. Thomas Tommies (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).

CCAA Player of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA National Championship Awards Banquet.