York’s Alexandra Quaidoo thrives through perseverance and passion on and off the pitch

Alexandra Quaidoo’s soccer journey has been shaped by competition, resilience and an unwavering belief in herself. The York University student-athlete, originally from Alberta, has had to navigate the challenges of collegiate sports while balancing academics and a second passion—track and field.

From the moment she stepped onto a soccer pitch as a nine-year-old, Quaidoo knew she had found something special. Coached by her father, who remains one of her biggest influences, she quickly developed a competitive edge that propelled her forward.

“I was the top goal scorer on my community team,” said Quaidoo. 

“My dad always told me that whatever you do, you do to win. I just loved that feeling of accomplishing something and seeing others succeed too.”

Her path to university soccer, however, was anything but conventional. The COVID-19 pandemic limited her exposure to recruiters, forcing her to rely on self-promotion. With limited opportunities to be scouted, she compiled highlight videos—ones she said were “terrible”—and sent them to schools across the country.

“I realized you just have to put yourself out there,” she said. “

You can’t wait for someone to discover you. I sent so many emails, and York was one of the schools that showed interest.”

Beyond soccer, Quaidoo’s ambitions extend to the classroom, where she is studying business and society. Her program allows her to explore multiple disciplines, including business ethics, law and government—subjects she finds fascinating.

“I’ve always been interested in the justice system and helping people,” she said. 

“We’ll see where that takes me, but I definitely want to be involved in some way.”

While soccer remains her primary sport, Quaidoo has also embraced track and field at the university level. A former high jumper, she took a chance on sprinting and now competes in the 60-metre and 300-metre indoor events, as well as the 200-metre outdoor event.

“I just wanted to see where I could fit in,” she said. 

“The workouts are tough, but I can see the improvements, and that makes me happy.”

Juggling two sports, a demanding academic schedule and personal challenges has tested Quaidoo’s resilience. She admits that university competition took an emotional toll, particularly in moments when playing time or opportunities felt uncertain.

“There are times when you want to do something, but there’s no chance to do it yet,” she said. 

“I went through some struggles this season, but I had to remind myself that opportunities will come. You just have to stay confident.”

For Quaidoo, her Christian faith has been a constant source of strength. 

“Personally, I know everybody has their own faith, but I like to keep God in my life,” she said. 

“It helps me move forward through tough situations.”

Despite the challenges, she remains committed to improving in both sports. Whether it’s competing at the national level or helping younger athletes find their own paths, Quaidoo sees each step as part of a bigger journey.

“I always tell people to put themselves out there,” she said. 

“If you want to play for a team, talk to the coach, reach out to the school, ask your current coaches for advice. You have to communicate. That’s what helped me.”