From RCL to ECNL: Hadley Paget’s Journey of Growth, Confidence, and Commitment

At 15 years old, Hadley Paget has already moved through multiple stages of the Eastside FC player pathway and now competes as a winger and forward for the formidable G10 ECNL team. Her journey is a clear example of steady progression built on patience, adaptability, and a growing belief in herself.

Hadley didn’t begin with a single-minded focus on soccer. She came into Eastside FC with a multi-sport mindset, wanting to stay active and play with friends.

I started on an RCL team because I liked playing a lot of different sports and didn’t want to commit to just one.

That early experience helped her develop a love for the game without pressure, laying a strong foundation for everything that followed.

Her pathway through the club included White, Red, and eventually ECNL. Along the way, she experienced different environments, teammates, and expectations, each step requiring adjustment. A key turning point came when she made the decision to fully commit to soccer, stepping away from other sports to focus on training and development. That choice helped shift her trajectory toward higher-level competition.

Her ECNL RL coach, Todd Veenhuizen added:

“It’s been special to watch Hadley’s journey and see her earn this opportunity. She showed up every day, put in the work, and continued to grow—so it’s no surprise to see her recognized at this level. I’m really proud of her and excited for what’s ahead,” said Todd Veenhuizen, her ECNL RL coach.

The transition between teams wasn’t always easy. Hadley describes the challenge of arriving on new teams where relationships were already established and the pace of play was significantly higher.

"The hardest part was feeling like the new girl on a team where everyone knew each other and having to adjust to a new style and pace of play," Hadley added.

Despite that, she embraced the challenge and continued to push forward. Over time, her confidence began to grow as her impact on the field increased. She started scoring and gained more confidence.

That growth was supported by extra training, consistent effort, and encouragement from coaches and family who believed in her potential. Those combined influences helped her bridge the gap between potential and performance.

Today, Hadley is driven by a simple mindset: constant improvement.

“I’m competitive and always pushing myself to be better than I was yesterday. It’s also about making that daily commitment to show up to every training, no matter what,” Hadley said.

That attitude shows up in how she trains, competes, and approaches each opportunity.

Some of her proudest moments have come through team success. “Winning the finals for State/Presidents Cup with the White team and the Red team” stands out as a reflection of her growth and contributions across multiple levels within the club.

Her current ECNL coach, Xinho Prestes, had nothing but good things to say about her:

"Hadley is a joy to coach. She brings a great attitude every day and is fully committed to getting better. We always love seeing players who work hard, stay humble, and trust the process earn opportunities like this. Her growth is a reflection of her character," Xinho added.

For younger players working their way up, her advice is direct: Keep trying and you can do anything you put your mind to. It’s a message rooted in lived experience rather than theory.

Off the field, Hadley values time with friends and family, keeping balance alongside her soccer commitments. And in a lighter moment that shows her personality beyond the game, she adds that her favorite animal is a capybara.

Hadley’s journey reflects the core of player development at Eastside FC, progress built step by step, through challenge, belief, and commitment to the process.