It’s safe to say that the vast majority of people were once a student in their lives, working their way up the educational ladder to learn everything from science, math, arts, history, and whatever else in between. On the other hand, being a professional athlete is an opportunity that few people get the chance to actually experience, no matter how badly we wished to be one growing up. But even fewer people have experienced what it is like to be a high school student AND a professional athlete at the same time.

Taking the ‘student-athlete’ title to a new level is Vancouver FC, having three high school students on their roster: midfielder Grady McDonnell, Development contract defender Joey Buchanan, and forward Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid. These teenagers practice full time with VFC, play in matches on the weekends, and fulfill their off-field training requirements all while balancing their studies to earn a diploma. 

So, how does it all work? 

The three teenage athletes are all taking online classes with McDonnell enrolled through Vancouver Learning Network while Buchanan and Tahid are taking their courses through their high schools, Howe Sound Secondary and Maple Ridge Secondary, respectively. McDonnell is the youngest of the trio, starting Grade 11 while Buchanan and Tahid are both entering their senior year of high school, although their days look a bit different than the average senior.

“A typical day for me would be that I wake up for training and then go drive to the facility to arrive around 8:30 a.m.,” Tahid began. “Training starts at 10 a.m.; finish training roughly around 12 p.m., then go to the gym. 

“I then drive back to Maple Ridge library to do school work until about 5 p.m. before I spend the rest of my day relaxing, eating the right food, and doing the right recovery for the next day,” continued Tahid.

Online school poses its own difficulties as Tahid notes, “The biggest challenge for me is sometimes finding the energy and motivation to be able to get my work done, especially after a hard session.”

While other high schoolers would be participating in after school activities or club sports, VFC’s teenagers are watching film, recovering, or interacting in the community through school and youth club visits. It is a tremendous workload that McDonnell, Buchanan, and Tahid are managing, but they have a whole team supporting them.

“We have days for us younger guys to have a block to focus on school,” said Tahid. “During away trips too we have free time that allows us to get some work done.”

Tahid has also learned a few techniques along the way that have helped him to find success in the realm of online school, “I do my work at the library instead of at home to get that sort of classroom feeling so I don’t have the immediate courtesy to relax.”

Education is a fundamental part of growing up and being prepared for the real world. Although these youngsters are developing their skills on the pitch to pursue long-lasting careers, VFC’s high schoolers are also being prepared for life off the pitch.

“My favourite class in school would probably be engineering,” said Tahid. “I get to build things and that’s what I would like to become in the future.”

There are few people who can say that they were a professional athlete in high school, and that is something that Tahid is really grateful to have.

“I think it’s really amazing that I’ve been able to have this opportunity at such a young age being able to have this professional experiences early on to help me in my career and future.

“There’s lot of sacrifices like not being able to hang out with friends but…I know this will all be worth it and provide me a solid foundation for when I am a seasoned professional,” concluded Tahid.

It’s not an easy task to be a student or a professional athlete but McDonnell, Buchanan, and Tahid are making it work with the support of their families and the VFC family. Keep up the great work Eagles!

Vancouver FC is excited to celebrate all the students in our communities from kindergarten all the way up to post secondary at the club’s Back to School match on Saturday, Sept. 21. The game is set for 3 p.m. PT at Willoughby Park and fans can purchase their tickets online here or at the gates on game day.