Cape Breton soccer player heading to Sweden for Gothia Cup

Melia Roberts holds the Highland Region Division 1 high school girls’ soccer banner in 2024 after Riverview High School captured the title in North Sydney. The Cape Breton teen is heading to Sweden this week to compete in the World Youth Cup July 13 – 19. CONTRIBUTED ContributedArticle contentA Cape Breton teen is heading to Sweden to play soccer in the Youth World Cup.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMelia Roberts, 17, was asked by Valencia – a soccer club in Quebec – to play on their U17 team at the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden.Article contentArticle content“It was pretty exciting,” said Roberts of Northside East Bay, who is going into Grade 12 at Riverview High School.Article content“At first, I was, like, ‘is this for me?’ I wasn’t sure. But then I looked it up and my parents looked it up … you realize how huge it is. That was pretty cool.Article contentArticle contentThe first Gothia Cup took place in 1975 and is also known as the World Youth Cup. For the 50th Gothia Cup, which runs July 13–July 19, there will be about 1,900 teams from approximately 75 countries participating.Article contentFor Roberts, it’s a chance to play against players that will push her limits, helping her develop while challenging her on the field.Article content“I’m really excited,” said Roberts, who is co-captain of the Cape Breton Football Club U18 AA team.Article content“At first, I was kind of worried I was going to get injured and not be able to go. But now that I know my soccer games are done, it’s really hit me like, Ooh I’m going.”Article content Melia Roberts, left, with the Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia Mike Savage, who was presenting her with the 2025 Education Medal earlier this year. CONTRIBUTED ContributedArticle contentABOUT MELIA ROBERTSArticle contentSchool: Riverview High SchoolStarting: Grade 12Member: Varsity girls’ soccer team (regional champions), CBFC U18 AA soccer team (co-captain)Position: DefenderAverage (end Grade 11): 98.6 per centAwarded: Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia Education MedalSpeaks: French, EnglishCareer plans: PediatricianFavourite motto: “The person that’s on the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”Article contentArticle contentROAD TO GOTHIA CUPArticle contentArticle contentWhen Roberts was four, she started soccer in the Timbits soccer program through Soccer Cape Breton.Article contentThroughout elementary and middle school, she played club soccer during the summer with Riverview Soccer Club.Article contentAt Malcolm Munroe Middle School, Roberts made the A team, which she wasn’t sure she would try out for and didn’t have cleats until the day before the Grade 7 tryout. Roberts said she walked in them the whole day before to break them in.Article content“I was always too nervous to try out for the big teams (like CBFC or A level teams at school) but all my friends were playing club soccer, like Whitney Pier, Riverview,” she said.Article content“In Grade 7, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll just go to the tryouts’ (for Malcolm Munroe girls’ A soccer team) and then once I made that and I experienced that with better players that were pushing me to work harder, it really made me like it.”