This article is brought to you by Allstate Brantford at 226-400-7180. Call Allstate for a free quote for home and auto insurance.

---

Ava Martin is continuing her soccer journey at the University of Alabama Birmingham in the fall of 2021. Martin said choosing the NCAA Division I program was about more than just playing soccer at the next level.

 

“I felt as though I could see myself growing not only as a student athlete, but as a person at UAB.”

 

Growing up in Brantford, Ontario, Martin was a 3-sport athlete, finding success on the basketball court, rugby field, and soccer pitch. As a student athlete at St John’s College, Martin compiled multiple team championships as well as earning the “Iron Eagle Award” in her last season on the basketball court.

 

“Whenever I step onto the field or court, I always give 100%.”

 

The 17-year-old striker spent 8 years playing with the Paris Football Club. She said the environment and chemistry her teams had, played a huge part in her success.

 

“My teammates and coaches helped me learn how to compete at the highest level.”

 

As the club’s leading scorer the past 3 seasons, Martin helped lead her club to a pair of SRSL championships. She was very humble in saying her coach, Peter Mylnarski, however, should take a lot of the credit for her teams’ successes.

 

“He really emphasized teamwork, always telling us to put the team’s goals ahead of our personal ones.”

 

Martin felt the same type of connection with her new head coach at Alabama Birmingham, Erica Demers, saying her compassion and connection to the student-athletes really influenced her decision.

 

“There was a real connection between her coaching style and the way I approach the game.”

 

Martin spoke highly of the culture that Demers and the team have both on and off the pitch, saying it helped make her feel comfortable in the new environment.

 

“The culture was very welcoming, I felt like I was part of a team with a positive mindset.”

 

Although friends and family were hoping she'd stay closer to home, the one voice that kept pushing her to chase her dreams was her big sister and role model, Kristen Martin. A former member of the Brock University women’s soccer team, Kristen was very supportive in Ava’s journey. Ava talked highly about the support her older sister provided her throughout her recruitment process.

 

“I really looked up to my sister, I tried to emulate her as a player and a person.”

 

The Blazers finished the 2019 season in 11^th place, missing the Conference-USA playoff. Martin feels that with a new young core however, the 2021 season could bring new success to the program.

 

“I think we can battle our way to the conference championship.”

 

Martin has been following the Blazers throughout their 2020 campaign, trying to gain as much knowledge as possible to give her an edge when she comes in next fall.

 

“I am always looking for ways to help take my game to new heights.”

 

Filled with excitement and anticipation, Martin is looking forward to the next chapter of her soccer career at UAB.

 

“I can’t wait to come in and help our team succeed right away.”