Karina LeBlanc, a member of the Bronze-winning Canadian Olympic Women Football Team at the just concluded Olympic Games, has taken the time out to say thanks to Dominica.
LeBlanc spent the early years of her life on the island which she credits in part for shaping her talent.
“As I celebrate my Bronze Medal … I wish to give thanks and pay tribute to Dominica where I live for the first eight years of my life,” Leblanc told Dominica News Online via email. “Whatever success I achieved, Dominica has had a major role in shaping and nurturing my initial upbringing, my character and my talents.”
Leblanc spent her early life in Goodwill with her parents Vans and Winsome LeBlanc. She attended the Miss Eugene’s Pre School and the Convent Prep. She would have been born in Dominica but the passage of Hurricane David rewrote that part of her history. “But I am still proud of my Dominican heritage,” she said.
“I thank especially my extended families and their friends, especially those from Portsmouth to Borne to Vieille Case, and their related families all over Dominica and overseas,” LeBlanc stated.
She also wishes to recognise the following institutions, which her parents were affiliated with, for their indirect contributions to her upbringing: AIDB, National Bank, Dominica Grammar School and Dominica Teachers College (now Dominica State College).
She has conducted a goal keeper camp at Lindo Park.
LeBlanc has been a mainstay of Team Canada since 1998. She has represented Canada in four World Cups and the London Olympics was her second.
She has had an impressive career on the football field. Apart from winning the Bronze Medal with the Canadian Women team, below is a list of some of her accomplishments.
Biography
Professional soccer player on Canadian Women’s National team.
Career
WPS:
2010: Was selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2010 Los Angeles Sol Dispersal Draft by the Philadelphia Independence.
2009: Was acquired in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2009 WPS General Draft by the Los Angeles Sol. Started and played in 19 regular-season matches for regular-season champion Sol. In 1,710 minutes, she compiled an 11-3-5 record, 12 shutouts and a miniscule 0.53 goals allowed average. She saved 78 of 93 shots. LeBlanc was named to the 2009 WPS All-Star Team Starting XI.
International:
Has been a member of Canada’s national team since May of 1998 and made her international debut against China. 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany was her 4th (1999, 2003, 2007).
Club:
Played for the New Jersey Wildcats of the W-League in 2005 and 2006.
In 2005, she earned W-League All-League and Goalkeeper of the Year honors and captained the Wildcats to the 2005 W-League Championship. That season, LeBlanc led the W-League with a 0.10 goals allowed average, allowing only one goal in 901 minutes in regular-season play.
Member of the WUSA’s Boston Breakers from 2001 to 2003 and was the Breakers’ starting goalkeeper in 2002 and 2003. She helped lead the Breakers to the 2003 regular-season title.
College:
Played for Nebraska from 1997 to 2000, posting a 60-6-3 record and saving 207 shots. In 2000, she was an NSCAA First Team All-Central Region selection and ranked second in the nation and first in the Big 12 Conference with a goals against average of only 0.40. A Herman Trophy Award Finalist her senior season
High School / Youth Club:
Listed as one of the top 20 Division I recruits by USA Today in 1997, even though Maple Ridge Secondary School did not sponsor a girls soccer team.
why?
Karina has to be congratulated for her skills as a Canadian soccer player. It is nice to know that she has Dominican roots. However, we really cannot overplay the Dominican part. She is a CANADIAN soccer player with a Dominican father.
She is very gracious in attributing some of her success to her time spent in Dominica, but let’s be honest, she is Canadian.
The same way I would not blame Dominica for the misfits who left as children and do harm, I would not overplay my hand to attribute her success to Dominica considering she left at such a young age.
Mrs Leblanc her mom is from Jamaica. Mr leblanc is from Dominica. She taught me principles of business in Grammar School
Noeliva, Papi Joe and his brother, the surveyour, and Vanya are not the only LeBlanc’s in Vieille Case. They are only a percentage of that famous last name. NO, my last name is not LeBlanc, my grandmother was.
CONGRATULATIONS KARINA. TO GET A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE OLYMPICS IS TRULY SATISFACTORY,
AFTER ALL THE HARD TRAINING YOU HAVE TO DO. BIG UP TO YOU AND BIG UP TO DOMINICA.
Bwa Kwaieb, I applaud your response to BOOM’S ignorant statements. I had a good laugh on your answers. You are a true Dominican, and you are right, we (me included) are not Dumi-ni-cans.
I’ve visited once in 13 years, but stayed a month. I like that phrase ‘’. That’s a good wake up call.
From what I noticed during my visit I don’t think there are 365 rivers anymore.
Congratulations to Karina & all Dominicans who do well, sorry we cannot keep your talents in Dominica, maybe four generations down the road our environment will change. Keep it up!
My fellow country men grow up some of you all are too ignorant and narrow minded, stop writing negative comments she is still one of us congrats to the young lady proud of you, with some of these negative comments how can the country prosper, some of you people are so negative that is why people donot want to return home
Other caribbean countries are doing much for their athletes Dominica should be naming a field or something after Ms. Leblanc. Olympic medals don’t come easy!
Congrats KK so proud of you. You make the LeBlanc family proud
Your name alone, KK Leblanc, shows that you are truly Canadian Fruits of Dominican Roots. We are so proud of you. Congrats! You are not an ungrateful Dominican because you remember us always. We love you, KK.
Congratulations Karina. You did well. You have been an extremely busy lady, hard at work in your chosen field. I wish you many more successes. Pleased to know that you have not forgotten your roots and remember those who shaped and nurtured your life. You are an appreciative person. Congratulations to them too. God bless you in your future undertakings.
The LeBlancs are well-known in DA. I know a few of them; some reside out of DA. One of my sister’s Godfather was a LeBlanc, since passed on. I knew him and his wife as Mr. & Mrs. LeBlanc. They were prominent people in Portsmouth.
Congrats Kaykay. Always very proud of you and your achievements and more so your humility and praise for where you came from and where you are today.
Your former classmate from Prep.
Congrats Karina !!!!!! Continue reaching for the stars and beyond.
i watched her play,and say to myself this woman is a solid player;comming to hear you have Dominican tie,
Good for you girl to big up Dominica.GOOD LUCK.
hhhmmmm she looking sweet wii bwoy…. wifey typeee
Congrats Karina, I remember you and Sharma as kids. was pleased to learn from an English newspaper that your team had done so well – it mentioned your name.
well done my girl, all the best to you, keep on promoting the Nature Island of the Caribben.
you are trully an embassador of Dominica.
codos to you,
love and peace.
xxx
i mean a MODEL!
woowwwwww! she could easilly be a mode with such beayty..stunningly gorgeous!
Thanks Mrs. Leblanc for remembering us.
Is she related to Fletcher Leblanc who was once a leading sports figure in Dca?
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
She would be related to Noeliva Leblanc, Roseau Cathedral worker, Papi Joe and his brother, the surveyour, Vanya Leblanc and the rest. Would I be correct people? I think so.
Congrats Karina for remembering Dominica you have made yourself, family adopted country girl. the sky is the limit keep on striving.
yes, she is a cousin of ours…met her when I was about 8, when she came to my school (Convent Prep). She’s made us proud!
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..please, please, spell my surname corectly
*correctly
You can’t even spell ‘correctly’ correctly. lols
So if you spell it ‘Le Blanc’ you pronounce it as ‘Le Blank’?
I thought it’s french and should be spelt ‘Leblanc’ , thus pronounced as ‘LEE Blah’? mmmmm….? I must separate the first two letters in my name so it can sound more suitable, more ‘uppity’ to the big country folks. Dominicans can be so pretentious when they ready.
Thank you Karina for taking time to recognise Dominica; this means alot. May God continue to bless and guide you as you strive towards your goals.
congrats proud of u, nice to no u bigging up dominica
Who in v/case is her family? Never heard of her associated with v/case before.
Vieille Case is full of Leblanc’s. Don’t know if she is directly reated to anyone but by the looks of things she is.
related. sorry
@ Br
All LeBlancs in Dominica are related.
My point exactly! Who is this person? You left Dominica since aged 8. What connections have you maintained with Dominica, except perhaps for the occasional vacation? Ou sa palay creole? Es ou connet lang mamaw? What contributions have you made to Dominica in all these years? Did Canada, your new home, not recognize you enough that you now turn to Dominica? I would be more inclined to recognize your so called contributions if you had maintained connections with Dominica. You are an international footballer, have you ever volunteered training to our up and coming female footballers? Have you sent a football? Some used gears? Some hand-me-downs? Do you know any of our female football players names? Do you know any of the teams names? Do you know when the league is held? What do you know about Dominica? Oh please!! Give me a break!
@ Boom!
Some things, even explained, will be difficult for you to comprehend. Nevertheless, she was born outside of DA due to Hurricane David otherwise she would have been born in DA. She lived in DA for 8 years of her early life. Obviously, she has not forgotten it including her relatives and friends in DA. She has fond memories of those years. She still has ties in DA and her love for it has not waned. Do you expect her to forget it? Do you also expect her to know everything about what is occurring in DA? You lack adult common sense and maturity.
The questions you ask are unnecessary. You should not allow your mind to work overtime.
I left Dominica when I was 17. Let me take the test to see if I’m a true Dominican to eh?! lols
Who is person?
Answer: Nonya bizznASS! lols I’m you’re worst nightmare!
What connections have you maintained with Dominica except for the occassional vacations?
Answer: I have visited 4 four times in 14 years all 2 weeks in length. Oh yeah and I stay update on DNO! Big up DNO
Ou sa palay creole?
Answer: oui mwen sa palay creole.
Es ou connet lang mamaw?
Anwser: Oui mwen connet lang mamaw ‘lang boda mamaw’,
USA my new home recognize me lots and I don’t have to ever look back at Dominica or Dominicans that think they run the show just because they live on the island with myopic thoughts.
You are an international footballer, have you ever volunteered training to our up and coming female footballers?
Answer: Hell no! You dominicans are too ungrateful!
Have you sent a football? Some used gears? Some hand-me-downs?
Answer: Have you bought a football or contributed anyway shape and form to sports in Dominica? If I send down used gears for all you Dominicans the amount of things you guys will say.
Do you know any of our female football players names?
Answer: Who cares? They paying me to know their names nuh?
Do you know any of the teams names?
Answer: Harlem Bombers (I don’t care if they all male or not, they’re the best!)
Do you know when the league is held?
Answer: All you in DA doesn’t even go and watch women play sports you think I should care when the league is held? Stupes!!
What do you know about Dominica?
lols lols lols lols
Answer: It have 365 rivers so they say whilst they counting the same river twice, sisserou parrot is the national bird, there’s a big yellow bus in the gardens, my first kiss was in the bamboo house, Dominicans can over sensationalize an event or simple congratulations to someone will result in envy that leads to vitriolic posts like yours. Folks in DA hate on diaspora even whilst waiting for barrels with their hand out. The biggest ghettos in DA are pointe michel, tarish pit, fly city, fond cole.
Yeah man I iz a Dominican not a dumi-in-a-can!
Boom I so agree with you! These people are out there representing other countries and when the country don’t give them attention all of a sudden they remember they Dominican. Why didn’t you organize a Dominican football team so that Dominica could have representation at the Olympics?
Besides when you see them oversees they playing part fresh and “coupawayson”. All of a sudden they have connections in the country…ville case etc. give me a break!
If you do not know what you are talking about it is better to keep quiet. She has been back to Dominica several times and held soccer camps for the kids in DA.
YOU ARE PATHETIC.YOU ARE NOT DOMINICAN.YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS OF THE PROGRESS OF OTHERS.YOUR NEIGHBOURS MUST BE TIRED OF YOU.
It’s bloggers like you that give me the strength to strive for a better future for me and my family. SMMFH
IGNORANT!! She was born in Canada, Dominican parents. Most of all Vieille Case heritage. She’s not HAITIAN to speak creole, and she don’t have to speak patois. She do not have to know langage mamaye. She know what she have to know. What’s it to you? Do you want a better contribution from her? Why don’t you ask? Do you want a football, or used gears? Why don’t you ask? I’m pretty sure if you ask she’ll give. Why don’t you send her a list of the female football players names so she’ll know them. Does she have to know their names? Why don’t you educate her on the teams names and when the league is held. I’m sure she’d appreciate your imput. I think she know what she need to know about Dominica and not what YOU think she should know about Dominica. Oh please!!!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!
To all you brainless morons who chose to be nasty, you just confirmed what I said. If she was born outside of Dominica, then she is not a Dominican! If her mother is Jamaican, then she has a Dominican parent not parents!! Where is her loyalty? Is it Canada, Jamaica or Dominica? To the idiot who said she is not Haitian and does not need to speak creole, that says more about you than her. I stand by my comment. Dominica is second fiddle. Visiting Dominica does not make you Dominican. Then visiting Antigua would make us Antiguans!! Lol! By now, I guess she knows what she needs to do to prove her loyalty!! Message well sent and by your comments, greatly received.
Congratulations Karina, I knew you as a kid due to my close affiliation with your mom and dad and you were always a positive little girl growing up. I cried when your parents left Dominica because both of them contributed significantly to the development of our country and here you are making us proud. Thank you and keep doing what you do best. God Bless You. Proud to be associated with you, Sharma and your parents.
If you’re LeBlanc, it’s obvious, your forefathers are from Vieille Case.
yes i, you making the leblanc very proud and dominica too. that is very good of you girl bring dominica into the lime light… keep up the good work in football
congratulations on winning a bronze medal in the olympic football as part of the canadian team…
Ordinary people do extra ordinary things. Congrats
Now that shows a whole lot of CLASS