James Cameron, Vancouver FC’s latest player to be named to the CPL Team of the Week, radiates confidence. The 18-year-old is living his best life but in December last year, he was a completely different person. For Christmas, Cameron was surprised to have received a ticket to VFC’s open trial as a gift from his father. “I didn’t believe it was worth it, I never thought someone could make a career out of the open trials,” says Cameron. 

After being rejected by other professional football club academies, Cameron thought his dream to be a pro soccer player was stripped. It was thanks to the support of his family who always saw his potential and pushed him to try something “impossible.” The now professional footballer is also thankful to his youth club, which gave him support when he needed it.

“Big shout to Blaise Soccer Academy. I think that is where I really started to become a proper player,” shares Cameron. “I think before that club I was losing sight a bit, on my dreams.”

For almost all the players in the Canadian Premier League and thousands of other Canadian players before them, a career in professional football was an adventure of uncertainty. Now, seeing Canadian youth making their debuts at 16-, 17-, 18-years-old is not a surprise anymore.

A great example of how these teenagers are making an impact in their communities and providing hope came about a month ago. Cameron was honoured at the Youth Nations Cup, a youth soccer tournament that was hosted in Surrey, with the opportunity to distribute the MVP awards. 

The North Vancouver native gave some of these awards to his former teammates who were asking when the next VFC trial is happening. Now, there is a strong sense of optimism amongst the younger generations of playing professional football at a competitive level.

“Growing up playing for North Vancouver FC, CPL was not even a thing,” recalls Cameron. “There is now a different pathway to make it to the clubs in Europe. Maybe your talent would have gone unrecognized and unappreciated without the CPL.

“It is cool that local players like me, Anthony (White), TJ (Tahid), can all have this opportunity that we would not have without the CPL.”

However, as with everything in life, pure talent is not enough to put you at the top unless it is complemented by hard work. After being selected in the open trials by Vancouver, Cameron still doubted he would be where he is today. The only thing he could do to close the gap with experienced and international players was to put in the extra hours. 

“I didn’t have the best preseason, I didn’t play a lot of minutes but I just kind of stayed true to myself and kept working,” recalls Cameron. “I believed that if I continued to make the right decisions day in and day out, eventually, I would get my opportunity.”

That shot came on June 11, 2023 when Cameron was subbed in the 72nd minute of the away match against Cavalry FC. An impressive performance in his debut gave Cameron the confidence to realize that he earned the right to play in Canada’s first division. After this, the 18-year-old’s hunger to perform became bigger and Cameron felt ready to take on a more permanent position on Vancouver FC. 

“I think even when I was on the development contract, I always felt like I could do more,” recalls Cameron. “A big part of the professional game is your mindset. If you don’t see yourself as a starter or someone who can play lots of minutes, then you won’t be able to.”

After his debut, he became the starting right back and has accumulated ten consecutive starts. The trajectory of VFC’s latest signing feels like a train just departed the station with nothing that can stop it. Cameron is now an intense and energetic player that wants to prove he is ready to show up, no matter the occasion. 

“If you don’t have confidence in yourself, no one else is going to have confidence in you,” explains Cameron. “There’s always going to be guys more talented than you so you have to compete with these guys, stay humble and work hard.”

Support Vancouver FC and the CPL in their commitment to providing a platform for Canadian professionals and prove that Canada belongs to the football world stage. Cheer on James Cameron and all the other young Canadian talents in Vancouver FC’s next home game on August 19 against Pacific FC for the BC Proud match. Get your tickets by clicking on this link or at Gate 1 of the Langley Events Centre.