A dream come true for Julian Wade, Dominica’s first professional footballer

Wade (right) during a match recently
Wade (right) during a match recently

While following the footsteps of his older brother and role model, Darlton Bannis, at the tender age of six the thought of becoming the first professional footballer from Dominica, was never on the mind of Julian Wade.

Wade has signed a two-year contract with Trinidad-based football club Caledonia AIA, which has made him the first Dominican to play international football at a professional level.

In an interview with Dominica News Online Wade who is affectionately known as “JuJu” described the opportunity as his dream come true.

Wade’s opportunity came while vacationing with family members in Montserrat in 2011. While there, he received a chance to play for the Montserrat National Team in a friendly match against Joe Public team from Trinidad. Although the team lost the match 2-3 to Joe Public, Wade was noticed by the Caledonia team coach since he was responsible for scoring the two goals for the Montserrat team.

And as the old saying goes, the rest is history.

“I currently play striker/forwards with Caledonia and this is a position which can be described as the spotlight side of football. You are basically responsible for scoring goals and bringing victory to your team,” Juju told DNO.

He pointed out that the position comes with a lot of preassure since all games may not be good games.

“Sometimes you have bad games, and you do not score and everybody is expecting you to score, so it is a lot of preassure,” he said.

The young sportsman, from Roseau, began playing football at the Dominica Grammar School and then the Dominica State College becoming the captain of both teams. He also played for the National Under 15 and Under 20 Football teams and he represented the 4D Bath Estate premier football team before leaving for Trinidad to begin his contract on July 13.

Wade noted that every footballer wants the opportunity to play at a professional level and he is grateful for the opportunity. He said he aims to improve his skills and aim higher in the football world with his eyes set on the English Premier League.

He pointed out that there is a lot of room for improvement for football in Dominica. He noted that things should be put in place to make opportunities available for other talented players since there are international coaches looking for young players and the opportunities are always available.

Wade played his first CONCACAF Championship match for Caledonia AIA against Toluca from Mexico and came in the second half to score his first international and the lone goal for his team in a 3-1 defeat.

He advised other players that they should work hard, be dedicated, disciplined, and pray since these attributes are very important.

Wade, who is now in Dominica, will leave on Friday to return to Trinidad.

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65 Comments

  1. Dilma Bastien
    December 8, 2017

    JUJU much love keep doing your thing im proud of you

  2. UDOHREADYET
    August 15, 2013

    A Roseau man that went to Grammar school… of course my peeps! God bless, wishing you a thousand goal career!!!

  3. Juju
    August 15, 2013

    Appreciate the love shown. Respect the comments made as well…

  4. yottieP
    August 15, 2013

    Yes JuJu, Big up all de time. Keep striving you’ll get where you want to go!

  5. yah man
    August 15, 2013

    Congrats my boy.. keep yuh head up.. a championship go soon come

  6. August 15, 2013

    Congrats Wade, All the best to you.

  7. transporter
    August 15, 2013

    great job young man still continue to practice and work hard but dont forget the young ones after you who needs to be polished as well so if u can send used or new balls to your community or former team so that the young and the old can have access to play dont do like the basketball player who came from the international arena and not even a ball he brought for his team to play jsut keep that in mind

  8. Remix
    August 15, 2013

    congrats juju :wink: :-D

  9. yea
    August 15, 2013

    Great job Juju, Darlton must be proud. Stay focused, it takes hard work to reach where u want to be. Don’t be lazy like the others who got the opportunity and wasted it to stay DA and party.

  10. tj
    August 15, 2013

    Congrats juju u were a star from Time continue to shine

  11. Miss
    August 15, 2013

    All d best Julian. I know u will represent us well! I remember u as a respectful young man when I taught u at D.G.S. Saw u yesterday after w long while and had I known I would have congratulated u! Congrats!

  12. Wiseup
    August 15, 2013

    Everyone is mentioning persons that have blood line in Dominica. We are looking here at someone who is from Dominica and comes to Dominica as much as he can. Someone who actually contributed in representing the Country on numerous occasions. Yes there are people who’s parents are from Dominica but how many of them regard or acknowledge Dominica as their home.

  13. Righteous
    August 15, 2013

    Great opportunity for this young man. There are so many more talented young men and women with serious talent in sports, but we do not have a proper system to get them exposure in order to take advantages of the many opportunities out there. We need fresh/young blood to be infused in the basic structure of sports development in Dominica.

    Enough of this crap of “boy I have been doing this for a long time”, guess what that is not helping our sports men and women get scholarships and professional contracts. One of the key avenues that has been utilized by many other countries is the US/NCAA system. Most of our sports men and women at the secondary school level do not even know about the SAT or ACT. 22 years ago I didn’t. We need a better system to get our talent developed.

    One Love Dominicans

  14. Moore Park
    August 15, 2013

    hmm…………… have you ever wondered why he has only spoken of his mothers’ family????????????

  15. Moore Park
    August 15, 2013

    He most certainly is not the first; there have been many others before him – Jermaine Defoe, Richard Pacquette and Jefferson Louis to name but three and others from before whose names I am unable to remember. As someone commented before, please get the facts right before publishing.

    • I love my liat!
      September 4, 2013

      were they born and raised in Dominica? can they even find Dominica on the map anymore?

  16. wow!
    August 15, 2013

    Congrats and pray before each game Wade.

  17. Justin
    August 15, 2013

    Also Richard Pacquette, who has been pro since he was 16 playing for Queens Park Rangers. And this was 15 years ago when I just finished high school. He use to come to our gates in his yello fiat Punto looking gyal in my St Charles days. And his dad who is a cool guy worked there

  18. Justin
    August 15, 2013

    Actually Jermaine Defoe is half Dominican:

    Bellow is a copy of Wikipedia showing this.

    Born in London, to a St. Lucian mother and Dominican father, Defoe attended St Joachim Primary School in Custom House[4] and St Bonaventure’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, London.[5] He joined the Sunday league team Senrab, well known in London for producing players such as Lee Bowyer, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Ledley King,[3] and then joined the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Shropshire, as a 14-year-old in 1997. While he was there he attended Idsall School.[4]

  19. faceup
    August 15, 2013

    But eh eh, Trinidad international? I was getting ready to read of somewhere in Europe>

  20. Anonymous
    August 15, 2013

    congrats ju!!! I’m so proud of you. I pray that God continues to bless you and guide you!

  21. Coach
    August 15, 2013

    Congrats juju

  22. Duncekyat
    August 15, 2013

    Congrats, young man. The sky is the limit…reach for it!

  23. NEWTOWN
    August 15, 2013

    DNO please get your rcords straight. Kenrick Solkar Emmanuel played professional league in Canada and also VINCE HILAIRE another dominica did so in UK and also a few others. Wade is playing in a semi professional league in Trinidad. Please make your research before you jump to such false conclusions. ADMIN- the public needs clarification and correction.
    We however commend WADE on his advancement and best wishes.

  24. yes
    August 14, 2013

    great job a big fan of soccer i play myself that’s damn great. n i thought they said b10 was d greatest now i can laugh myself to sleep b10 is a lazy striker. hahah pack up haha wade is the best wat diabe b10 haha. great job wade great job

  25. Godwin Dorsette
    August 14, 2013

    congrats

  26. August 14, 2013

    great things ahead for this young man blessed you

  27. Good
    August 14, 2013

    Congratulations…you’re a Wade, you gifted beyond compared. God’s bless

  28. Justice and Truth
    August 14, 2013

    Good luck Julian. I wish you well and many successes.

  29. Anonymous
    August 14, 2013

    Yes JUJU!!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

  30. not against
    August 14, 2013

    Pacquette guy from laplaine. As a matter of fact 2 of them. Who came to represent Dominica. Playing in England. Scored for havant.against.liverpool DNO get the facts straight.

    • JahAngel
      August 14, 2013

      shut up iniowa…..we talking bout JUJU here….just say congrats and Keep in moving….BIG CLAP FOR JUJU..YOU GO BOY>>>SHINE AWAY

    • Blessed
      August 14, 2013

      please, only now u know that.

  31. Mahaut
    August 14, 2013

    Congrats…
    keep a level head..and hard work and the sky is the limit

  32. troublemaker
    August 14, 2013

    continue to pray and remain focus juju , the family is very happy. that a good role model to all the young men out there who give up the dream for drugs

  33. ArAb
    August 14, 2013

    Congrats!!!

  34. Anonymous
    August 14, 2013

    Congratz Juju ! you make us proud

  35. DGS Girl
    August 14, 2013

    You go juju!!! The sky is the limit!

  36. t
    August 14, 2013

    Juju I am so happy for you. I know you have made your mum Cecilia and two brothers proud. We are also happy and proud of you. Hmmmm Monsterrat Police Force sure loose a great man.Keep up and most importantly continue trusting in the Lord

  37. One Love
    August 14, 2013

    Youngblood the entire “Mahaut Revival Baptist Church” is upholding you in PRAYER and Best Wishes . . . Our GOD is REAL God Bless: stay sober

  38. Rastafari
    August 14, 2013

    Juju, represent dude.

  39. Observer
    August 14, 2013

    Congrats young man. Go for it. The sky’s the limit. Don’t know YOU, but I’M really proud of you.

  40. Civic
    August 14, 2013

    Yes Julian big up

  41. J
    August 14, 2013

    Proud of u Juju… Keep your head up and make your family and country proud. :) All the best in your sports career

  42. Hmmmm....
    August 14, 2013

    Brilliant news. I wish you every success JuJu! Big up Darlton as well for laying the foundation.

  43. Aratzio
    August 14, 2013

    congrats brother man build your Rome

  44. kir
    August 14, 2013

    That is a funny photo. The guy in green seem like he wants the hug but does not want the hug at the same time. Just like when my woman mad at me.

    • haha
      August 15, 2013

      Hehehe…he is vex…somebody just scored on him…and Julian is like..”Don’t worry pardner……hold on”…and the goalie is like..’stupes”

  45. football supporter
    August 14, 2013

    Congrats to u and I hope the DFA is doing what they should to ensure that other talented players like randolph peltier can get an oppertunity like wade. Once again congrats

  46. budman
    August 14, 2013

    happy for this young man

  47. Asterix
    August 14, 2013

    Congratulations to you young man and all the best for the future. Stay true to your advise and keep aiming for bigger things beyond Trinidad

  48. Wiseup
    August 14, 2013

    Representing!!! I’m proud of you JuJu

  49. Patriot
    August 14, 2013

    Joseph Cooke affectionally known as Joe was the first professional footballer from Dominica.Played for Peterboro ,Bradford City and a few other clubs.Migrated to UK at a tender age.

    • August 14, 2013

      Wasn’t there a Defoe guy, who played defense for England at the last World Cup.

      • hmm
        August 14, 2013

        only defoe I know playing for England lately is Jermain defoe, plays as a striker. His father was from Dominica and his mother is from St Lucia, but he hardly regarded his father who died last yr basically on the streets. He’s only ever spoken of his mother’s family.

  50. youdoneknow
    August 14, 2013

    That’s it my boi.

    Boss juu juu

  51. happy
    August 14, 2013

    I am very delighted to see that AIA has recruited one of Dominica football players, this is a branch of the AIA group that was in Dominica recently under the auspices of the Roseau City Council and Ms. St. John conducting coaches training here in Dominica. We continue to miss the mark when great things take place in our country as we focus on individuals and not the work being done. Hats off to you Wade and AIA Trinidad, much more to come from AIA International.

    • Ayeo
      August 14, 2013

      then its on Roseau Council et al to send out a release to the media to advise them of such.

  52. flower
    August 14, 2013

    Good job JUJU (lacou zowine) Orange Yard must be proud.

  53. Cuz
    August 14, 2013

    Great job JuJu…….

  54. thiny
    August 14, 2013

    I think this is a banaric game but….all the best to you young man

    • thiny
      August 14, 2013

      Ok did not see the uniform…thought it was the other rough football

    • Rastafari
      August 14, 2013

      @ Thiny – what the heck is banaric? 8-O :?:

      • Justice and Truth
        August 14, 2013

        Did you mean “barbaric?” I recognize that it could be a rough game and tumble game. Nevertheless, it is a game and you should not denounce it or lower its dignity. It has been around for many years. Playing games, cricket, football, etc., are also good therapy and exercise.

      • Justice and Truth
        August 14, 2013

        I meant to use the terminology: “rough and tumble game” for obvious reasons. It is a rough game as others. The players are eager to score and to win – for their team. This is to be expected.

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