Local soccer star makes provincial team

It was evident for years that one local soccer player in particular was destined to shine on a bigger and brighter stage.

Former Huntsville Striker Sophia Maduri spent years honing her skills to achieve her lofty goals. With speed, strength, high-quality soccer IQ, and a knack for finding the back of the net, Maduri is a player on the rise in Ontario and beyond.

Once called Magic Maduri by a family friend and Huntsville Soccer Club board member, she has now achieved the first of her career targets.

Maduri was named to the 2011 girls Ontario Provincial team in early May. It was after a grueling fitness session her dad called to say she made it.

“I was pretty tired as we were driving home,” she recalls. “My dad called and said I made it, and I was pretty happy and not thinking about the fitness test anymore.” 

Playing full-time for the Vaughan Azzurri 2011 OPDL (Ontario Player Development League) team for the past two years, the 14-year-old Madurai had her eyes on earning that provincial spot the whole time. 

There is a tough selection process just to get a chance to try out for one of two 20-player provincial teams. Thousands of players in the province have the same goal; through a variety of criteria, including club recommendations, opposing coaches’ opinions, and scouting at games, the field is narrowed to 80 players. 

After a weekend at provincial trials, the final 40 players make the provincial program. This also means these 40 players get an automatic berth into the final 80 for next season.

“There were a lot of good players, but it helped that two people from my Vaughan team were there with me,” she says of the provincial team. “And I know other players, so I felt more comfortable than if it was just me and I didn’t know anyone.”

Next steps

Next up is keeping her spot through 2025 and 2026, then wowing the college and university scouts.

“This year I want to try to be top scorer in the league and I want to make the provincial team next year and then I do want to get a scholarship to a good school,” says Maduri, who is deciding between studying medicine or law during her post-secondary education.

Maduri played her youth soccer in Huntsville, competing in both house league and at the rep level against other regional teams until she reached the U12 age.

At that point, she decided soccer was her number one sport (she is also an excellent figure skater and downhill skier) and that changing clubs to a more competitive atmosphere was a necessity.

With the support of her parents, Ted and Becky, Madurai tried out and made the team at Juventus Academy – a top-level training program in the Greater Toronto Area – where she was able to improve and excel. After a while, she even began playing for the 2010 team, competing and doing well against girls a year older than her.

“It was a bit scary because everyone there was a good player,” says Maduri of first joining Juventus. “And then playing on the 2010 team, they were even that much better than the 2011 players.”

Reach for your goals

Having set the goal of being on the provincial team, Maduri joined the Vaughan club and has become a bright star amongst some of the best players and teams in Ontario.

She credits the time and effort her parents put in to drive up and down Highway 11 and the 400 for practices several times a week, as well as to league games that can take place as far as Ottawa – that doesn’t include tournaments all over North America.

Maduri also has to practice good time management, getting extra rest and doing homework during the long car rides.

“It’s really nice how they put in so much time to give me this opportunity,” says Maduri. “I really appreciate them.”

An inspiration for other young girls playing in small towns like Huntsville, Bracebridge, and the surrounding areas, Maduri gives some sound advice to those wanting to take the next steps in their soccer careers. “You have to work really hard at getting better,” she says. “Even if you’re not the best player at the beginning, still try your hardest, and don’t be down on yourself.”

It’s this type of work ethic and confidence that will keep Magic Maduri pushing herself to hit all the targets she has set for herself.

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