Athlete in Focus: Heather Lund

Written by Matthew Endacott

Photographed by Mathieu Belanger

Heather Lund is the captain of the women’s Canadian soccer team which has advanced farther than any other Canadian team in the history of the World University Games. Lund is currently enrolled in the Master’s degree program of Speech Language Pathology at the University of Montreal and plans to become a clinician. When she is not busy studying, Lund mentioned that she typically hangs out with friends, kicks the soccer ball around, exercises to stay in game-shape or plays soccer with the boys for a good challenge. Lund is from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and attended the University of Alberta for her undergraduate degree, where she holds her school’s all-time goals scored record.

Lund’s first collegiate soccer experience at Alberta was frustrating and difficult. She had a poor try-out and sprained her ankle, which left few opportunities for her to play and grow with her team. Following Lund’s first year she had serious doubts whether or not to compete at the collegiate level. It was the biggest obstacle she had to overcome in her career to date. “I drove those thoughts from my mind and ended up achieving more than I imagined. I came back stronger and better and continued to get better every season,” she said. “If you want something bad enough, never give up.”

Along with three teammates, Lund is thankful and excited to be at her second Universiade games. “It’s an amazing experience: a great idea to bring people together and interact in this environment. The atmosphere is wonderful. The people are wonderful.”

The team played a familiar opponent, Japan, for the Bronze medal match on Sunday. Their only practice together as a team was during a week that both teams were in Japan, where they twice scrimmaged and lost to the Japanese Universiade team.

For Lund and her teammates, Canada sadly lost the Bronze medal match against Japan in a rough defeat. Still Lund did not let that get her down. She remains very grateful and happy to even have had the opportunity to play at this event.

Lund also had a message to share for the people of Gwangju: “Thank you for being welcoming and gracious hosts,” she said. “Everyone is so happy to help and greets us with warm smiles. Also, support Canada!’