In just days, Canada will kick off its FIFA World Cup campaign on home soil and leading the line will be Ottawa’s own Jonathan David. But before stepping onto the field for Juventus FC in Italy or LOSC Lille in France, David’s soccer journey began on the fields of Ottawa’s east end. From the age of nine until 18, David played for the Gloucester Hornets Soccer Club. “It’s a bit mind blowing when you think that he was walking around here at the Hornet’s Nest one day and now he’s on that stage,” said Jay Da Costa, the lead technical director for the Gloucester Hornets. Da Costa did not coach David directly, but oversaw his development from afar, knowing that the young player was a level above the rest of the competition. “As a player, he was just dominant up front. Always played striker, would just score goals. He’s always a pleasure to watch, always worked hard. He was a very disciplined player.” Da Costa recalls the moment where it was apparent that the Gloucester soccer club could no longer contain David’s talent. “I remember there was one game where he played in the men’s division and he was 18 at the time. I think he just came back from a national camp, and he had beat us in the Ottawa Cup, which was against our Gloucester Celtic team in the final,” Da Costa said. “We all told him, we hope we don’t see you again, you don’t deserve to be here. You need to go and good luck. But we hope we don’t have to see you here in Ottawa again, because you deserve more.” After Gloucester, David moved to another local club, Ottawa Internationals, before making the move abroad to Europe where he joined KAA Gent in Belgium. What followed for David were big moves to LOSC Lille in France’s top league, and his current team Juventus, in Italy’s Serie A. Despite having undeniable talent, David chose to stay in Ottawa during his teenage years, playing his high school soccer at Louis-Riel Secondary School. Joé Fournier, head coach of the soccer program at Louis-Riel, says David was a quiet and reserved student during his four years in high school, often choosing to keep his head down and staying completely focused on soccer. “I don’t know if he had lunch once all four years,” said Fournier. “He was in the dome during lunch time, touching balls, playing soccer with two or three of his friends.” Despite David’s introverted demeanor, a signed jersey of his now hangs in the Louis-Riel soccer dome with the Ottawa-native now heralded as a celebrity and an example for young players to strive for. “The kids here, of course there’s a sense of pride to be training on the same field where Jonathan was training. There’s pride there to be part of the same program, the same school,” said Fournier. The high school coach admits that at the time, he never would have foreseen David go on to reach the levels that he has. But now, Fournier says being able to witness that success on the World Cup stage on home soil will be surreal. “We’re extremely proud of what he’s accomplished so far. He’s represented the country, the region, the city and the school with so much honor.” When asked to offer one final piece of advice to the now 26-year-old former student, Fournier laughed and offered the last bit of wisdom he could to the global soccer star. “Maybe the only advice I would give him is to enjoy the moment. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He’s lived it in Qatar (at the last World Cup), but this one’s going to feel and be very different.”
