Jag Tatla was practically born with a soccer ball in his hands.
From a young age, the 麻豆社国产native has been obsessed with "the beautiful game" and it was those young experiences that helped transform him into a highly sought-after young soccer prospect.
"I've been kicking around a soccer ball since I was about two or three years old," he said. "My dad introduced me to the game and always supported me growing up and it just sort of went on from there."
But it took a little while for Tatla to find his niche in the sport.
"I started off as a striker and just didn't really like it," he said. "I decided to change to play goalie in game five and it's been a great move for me."
Tatla said he relishes the pressure of playing between the pipes.
"I like playing goalie because you have to be on the spot all the time," he said. "It's all up to you. Playing goalie you need to be mentally tough, if you let in a bad goal, forget about it."
Spending the majority of his formative years playing on youth teams in Squamish, Tatla then moved on to travel teams in West Vancouver and also learned a great deal playing with Khalsa in the Howe Sound Men's Soccer League.
"It really helped me mentally to play with older players," he said. "They're a lot more physical than playing against players my own age and it's a much different game."
His former coach, Peter Shrimpton, sung the praises of the young keeper.
"As a coach, manager and avid supporter of Jag Tatla over the last few years, I continue to marvel at his maturity and commitment as goal guardian for the beautiful game," he said. "He has been a tremendous ambassador for 麻豆社国产throughout the Pacific Northwest for the sport of soccer. With his gentlemanly demeanor, his remarkable athleticism, and his impeccable timing, he has often single-handedly staved off defeat for his various teams over the years."
Rick Gruneau, who coached Tatla on several team in West Vancouver, agreed.
"Jag Tatla was one of the most improved players this past season on a West Vancouver U18 team that was undefeated in league play and finished third last March in the highly competitive Las Vegas Player's showcase," he said. "Over the course of the year he emerged as a team leader and his strong play in net was a major contributor to the team's success."
It was at that aforementioned Las Vegas tournament that Tatla said he had his greatest success so far.
"We played the 10th best U18 team in America and beat them 2-1," he said. "I was amazed and I just remember me and everybody jumping up and down after the win."
Tatla said his strengths include his size, speed and leaping ability. He's able to cover a lot of net and can get himself out of trouble with his speed. He admitted that there's always room for improvement and said he could use work on his first-touch play.
It should be a busy summer for Tatla, as he continues to play in West Vancouver and the Grade 11 student expects to graduate from Howe Sound Secondary School next year, potentially with a scholarship to play soccer for a college program.
