If it wasn’t for the Northern Super League (NSL), Jade Kovacevic would be hanging up her boots, a sad reality for many female soccer players in Canada. But instead, thanks to the inception of the ambitious new league, the 30-year-old has another chance to live her dream right in her own backyard.
On Monday, the Acton, Ont. native became AFC Toronto’s first-ever signing while simultaneously setting a precedent for women’s soccer in Canada. Set to kick off next spring, the NSL means that women and girls finally have a pathway to play at the highest level in the Great White North, an opportunity that’s taken shockingly long to conceive.
“It’s one thing for girls to watch Messi and Ronaldo on TV, but in the past it wasn’t a reality to become that in Canada,” Kovacevic told Sportsnet. “But now, they can come to NSL games and see the possibilities. They can see that in five, 10 years, that could be them.”
Kovacevic is a show-stopping pick for AFC Toronto with a prolific record in domestic and international competition.
The striker represented Canada in both the U17 and U20 World Cups, was an All-Freshman First Team and All-SEC Second Team selection at Louisiana State University, and played professionally in Italy and Hungary. For Roma Calcio Femminile, the forward became the team’s top scorer in just half a season, and made history for GYÖRI ETO FC by scoring the club’s first-ever goal.
Most recently, during her time in League1 Ontario (semi-pro), Kovacevic won five Golden Boot awards, four MVP titles, and became the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“Jade is a player who trains like a pro even though she isn’t in that environment, and that mentality is something to be respected,” AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanovic told Sportsnet. “I think fans will be surprised that a player of this quality is not already playing pro, and it’s a privilege that she signed for us.”
Growing up, Kovacevic kicked the ball around the backyard with her older brother and male cousins. Being around boys, the soccer star learned to be aggressive and creative from a young age, which shaped her current playing style.
“As much as I love to score goals, I try to have fun with the ball. I like to put on a bit of a show for the fans, too,” Kovacevic said. “The creative side of the game, I believe, is fading, so I do try to add that from time to time.”
“Kovacevic is as complete as you’ll get from a number nine in women’s soccer,” Milanovic added. “She’s an intense competitor, very dynamic, has pace and can finish.”
But while Kovacevic is a trailblazer on the pitch, she’s also a role model in the community.
Her company, J9 Training, specializes in private and group coaching tailored to player needs, an opportunity not always available in team settings. With previous coaching gigs for the Fanshawe Falcons women’s team and the FC London U21 reserve, Kovacevic will put her leadership skills to good use in a league that’s expected to be predominantly younger.
“Regarding her personal side, I love her intensity and her character is incredible. Given her resilience, experience and her patience, I expect Jade to step in and be one of the leaders not just for AFC Toronto but also for the NSL as a whole,” Milanovic said.
When it comes to the inaugural NSL season, Kovacevic is taking a multi-pronged approach that combines short-term success with long-term development.
Making the community feel engaged and excited about women’s soccer — while also winning games for AFC Toronto — is at the forefront, but the striker sees building a culture around women’s professional sport as equally important.
“The opening season is going to be something special, because we’re making history for women’s soccer within Canada,” Kovacevic said. “But as excited as I am to play for this club and represent the fans in the GTA, I’m focused on contributing to the long-term, the growth of the league and the club, and inspiring the community to come out and support.”
Although Kovacevic is the first signing for Toronto’s new team, there are plenty more on the way. While Milanovic remains tight-lipped on future contracts, he’s “excited by how the roster is shaping up.”
Milanovic and Billy Wilson, AFC Toronto’s Sporting Director, have targeted both domestic and international players, through video and in-person viewing. The duo has been to the U20 World Cup in Colombia, attended several NCAA games over the past few months, and are currently in Kansas with the National Women’s Soccer League.
“We’ve been everywhere, watching so much video. It’s a daily thing and it’s a lot of work, but it’s quite exciting to build something from the ground up,” Milanovic said.
Kovacevic has waited over six years to play professionally in her home country, and can hardly believe how close kick-off is. But while the forward is excited to lace up her boots and play under the professional lights, the real opportunity comes with what the new league represents to the next generation.
“I am living proof that if you believe you can do it, regardless of your path, you will succeed,” Kovacevic said. “Professional women’s soccer is real in this country now, and that’s important for little girls to see. It’s here. The time is now.”