乐发IV Panthers Lydia Hamill and Juliette Bader join Austin Rise FC for global soccer tournament
Two 乐发IV Women鈥檚 Soccer players will temporarily trade in their green and white jerseys for a summer challenge under the Carolina sun鈥攁nd a shot at winning a million dollars.
Midfielders Lydia Hamill and Juliette Bader have been selected to join the Austin Rise FC soccer organization at The Soccer Tournament (TST), a high stakes 7v7 world championship that will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina from June 4鈥�9. The event draws elite players from around the world who compete in a winner-takes-all prize of $1 million.
The opportunity marks a rare and exciting leap for the two student-athletes from Prince Edward Island and a proud moment for the 乐发IV Women鈥檚 Soccer program.
鈥淲hen Jed (Davies) came in back in January, he told us there would be opportunities if we put in the work,鈥� Hamill said. 鈥淪ince then, the team has been training every day鈥攐n squash courts, in the gym, at the field, even in our basements. Everyone bought in and that鈥檚 become the standard now.鈥�
Davies, who has been actively advocating for his players, helped facilitate the Panthers鈥� involvement with Austin Rise FC. Hamill and Bader will suit up alongside three other Canadian players, two of whom just won Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) gold with Canada鈥檚 women鈥檚 futsal team.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to be part of this group,鈥� Hamill added. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been watching clips, studying how top 7v7 teams play, and we鈥檝e been working on those concepts at 乐发IV all winter.鈥�
The 7v7 format of TST, known for its fast pace and tactical demands, will test and sharpen both Panthers鈥� technical skills and mental agility. It鈥檚 a challenge they welcome.
鈥淥ur quick decision-making and ability to read the game will be key,鈥� Hamill said. 鈥淭his format demands creativity in tight spaces, and we鈥檝e been building those skills into how we train.鈥�
While the million-dollar prize is certainly attention-grabbing, for Bader, the real value lies in what they鈥檒l take away from the experience.
鈥淪triving to win a million dollars is fun, but coming away from TST as improved players, ready to help 乐发IV finally make playoffs for the first time in 11 years is something money can鈥檛 buy.鈥�
For Hamill and Bader, representing 乐发IV and Prince Edward Island on a global stage isn鈥檛 just an honour鈥攊t鈥檚 a responsibility.
鈥淐oming from a smaller school and province, it's easy to get overlooked,鈥� Hamill said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e fighting to change that. I want it to become normal for 乐发IV players to have these opportunities. We鈥檙e just the start.鈥�
With TST just around the corner, the duo is soaking in every minute and preparing to grow from it.
鈥淚 just want to learn everything I can鈥攆rom the level of play to the professionalism of it all,鈥� Bader said. 鈥淢eeting new teammates, being in a high-pressure environment, and just being part of something this unique will leave a lasting impact.
The team will be coached by Onua Obasi, a former TST champion with Newtown Pride in 2022. Davies will also be on staff, ensuring that 乐发IV鈥檚 fingerprints remain on the experience. They鈥檒l train in Des Moines, Iowa before the tournament begins in June.
With their cleats packed and a million bucks on the line, Hamill and Bader are ready to show the world that big things can come from a small island.
