Marie-Pierre Donaldson takes part in Jeux du Québec

While she originally started playing soccer right here on the Island, at the age of 10, Marie-Pierre decided to join a winter league in Brossard. Although her team did not play in an official league, they held practices twice a week and that's what drew Marie-Pierre to them, according to her dad, Michel Donaldson.

"Although the teams were mixed when she first started playing as a young girl, I could see that Marie-Pierre really held her own and understood the game quite well for her age and that's why we looked for a bigger challenge," Mr. Donaldson explains.

During that same winter, Marie-Pierre also started practicing once a week with the 30 best U12F players on the South Shore. The program was preparing the girls for selection for Les Jeux du Québec in Sept-Îles in 2007.

"Although she was 12 and playing against girls that were a year older and had more experience playing on a big field, she managed to avoid being cut until the final selection. That experience boosted her confidence and raised her game to a higher level, while giving her more visibility for the selection of the 2007 team that would go to Les Jeux du Québec," reveals her dad.

In September 2006 Marie-Pierre attended College Francais in Longueuil and entered their soccer program, where she played 8 hours of soccer per week and continued to play for the school team. At the same time, she continued to play with the Celtix of St-Jean-de-Richelieu and had one practice a week with the regional selection.

"She never seems to get tired of playing soccer," exclaims her dad, who adds that a condition had been imposed on Marie-Pierre earlier in the year.

"Her grades could not suffer because of her soccer. She kept to her word and managed to finish the school year with A's and B's in all her subjects, despite a very busy schedule."

Three weeks ago, after two years of intense soccer, Marie-Pierre finally received the great news that she made the team for Les Jeux du Québec. Sixteen of the top players were selected on the South Shore and she was among them. They will be competing in Division 1.

"My short term goal would be to be invited to try out for the Quebec team this fall, because I know they will start recruiting players at Les Jeux du Québec for the U14F team for next year's Canadian championship" reveals the young L'Ile-des-Soeurs athlete. "Eventually, I would like to receive a scholarship from a university so that I can pursue my studies while playing soccer at a high level," she concludes.

Judging by what young Marie-Pierre has accomplished so far and the determination with which she's pursued her love for soccer, there's no reason to doubt that both her short-term and long-term dreams won't come true.

The 43rd edition of Les Jeux du Québec bring together more than 4,000 athletes and 4,000 volunteers from 19 regions of Quebec, who will be taking part in 18 athletic disciplines from August 2 until August 11, at Sept-Îles. For complete schedule information and results, you can log on to: www.jeuxduquebec.com