RED NATION SPEAKS TO DAVID JUNIOR HOILETT Interview - Feature | Posted on December 14/09 by Steven Bottjer

Rednation Online recently had the opportunity to speak with David Junior Hoilett, a young Canadian forward who plays with Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. At only 19 years of age and already delivering very strong performances at the highest level of play, Hoilett is no doubt an intriguing talent with truly world class potential.

Hoilett was born in Brampton, Ontario and was trained in soccer as a child by his father, David Hoilett Sr. He was scouted at the age of 11 and made the move to Europe at the age of 13, joining the Blackburn Rovers Academy. In 2007, Hoilett was sent out on loan to SC Paderborn for a half season in the Bundesliga 2nd divisiion where he scored once in 12 appearances. In 2008, he was again sent out on loan, this time to FC St. Pauli, another German club in the Bundesliga 2nd division. With St. Pauli he scored six goals in 21 appearances and established himself as a true talent on the rise. In 2009, Hoilett joined the Blackburn Rovers 1st team and he has made an immediate impact in both the Premier League and the Carling Cup, displaying the exceptional skills and pace that have had Blackburn Boss Sam Allardyce label him as a rising star.

At the international level, Hoilett has indicated to Rednation Online that with negotiations for a new contract with Rovers underway and Blackburn in the middle of his rookie ELP campaign, he is solely focussed on his development with the EPL club at the moment and that, as a teenage player, he wants to stay completely focussed on this one aspect of his career at this crucial point in his progression as a footballer.

In an interview in which Hoilett displayed a humble appreciation for the opportunities and support that have allowed his career to flourish, he also continuously expressed his singular desire and focus towards continuing to develop into the best player that he can be. Rednation Online and David discuss his experiences playing in England and Germany, his current campaign with Blackburn Rovers and some of his thoughts on Canadian soccer.

Rednation Online: Congratulations on your recent success with Blackburn Rovers of the English Premier League. You've recently had the chance to play against some of the top clubs in the world in Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and the other EPL teams. How does it feel to be playing in what many consider to be the top professional football league in the world?

David Junior Hoilett: I'm very grateful to be playing with and against the greatest players in the world in such a highly successful league. I'm just learning and trying to develop as a player and improve upon my strengths and I'd like to thank the other (Blackburn) players and the staff for the support that they have given me.

Rednation Online: You made your Premier League debut this year in Blackburn's opening day contest against Manchester City. How did it feel to play your first match in the premiership and what was going through your head as you took to the pitch?

David Junior Hoilett: I was very happy to make my debut in the opening game of the season at home. I was focussed on what was happening on the field and wanted to show the fans what I was made of. I was very happy at that moment in time.

Rednation Online: You scored in your first senior start in a Carling Cup win over Gillingham in August 2009. How did that goal come about?

David Junior Hoilett: It was a great development play by the team. It came through the back and it was a great cross by one of my colleagues and I beat the defender, got there first to the ball and scored on a diving header.

Rednation Online: You made your first appearance in the starting lineup in a Premier League match on Sunday against Hull City. How would you rate your performance in the match?

David Junior Hoilett: I thought I had a good attacking performance and was able to create some chances. We didn't get the chance in order to finish it and I think we should have got the win. Overall, I think my performace was good and hopefully next week we can get a win.

Rednation Online: How has it been playing under Sam Allardyce?

David Junior Hoilett: It's been great and I have learned a lot from Sam Allardyce. He has been very supportive and he has confidence in my abilities. I'm learning every day in training.

Rednation Online: Sam Allardyce has described you as a rising star, but he has always warned that you need to keep your feet on the ground at such a young age and has pledged to introduce you to the first team slowly and not put too much pressure on you too quickly. Obviously, every player wants to play every minute of every match, but do you appreciate this strategy for handling your career?

David Junior Hoilett: Yes, it has been important for my development at the club. It's true that I have to keep focussed, work hard in training, listen to all the advice I am given and keep developing as a player. That will get me more games.

Rednation Online: You spent the previous two seasons on loan in Germany, first at SC Paderborn and then last term at Hamburg-based club St. Pauli. How was the experience playing in Germany?

David Junior Hoilett: It was very good experience. I learned a lot in Germany. It is different than the EPL with a bit of a slower pace and it was more technical. It helped me a lot to develop my skills there. I got more experience there and there were great supporters.

Rednation Online: Earlier this year you turned down the chance to extend your loan deal with St. Pauli, whose supporters were quite vocal in their desire to have you remain with the team. Was that decision simply a case of you feeling that you had learned everything that you could playing at the Bundesliga 2 level?

David Junior Hoilett: I learned a lot playing in the 2nd Division and I just wanted to challenge myself by playing in a higher division in order to develop my abilities as a player and as a person.

Rednation Online: There were apparently some previous issues with your UK work permit that prevented you from playing with Blackburn. Can you shed some light on that situation and tell us how things were resolved?

David Junior Hoilett: Due to the fact that I am not an EU citizen I had some problems getting a work permit, but they were able to clear up my case in order to allow me to play.

Rednation Online: There have also been rumours that several top German clubs are very interested in you, with Hamburg being mentioned prominently. Is a return to Germany something that is a possibility at some point in your career and did you enjoy your time playing in that country?

David Junior Hoilett: Yes, I really liked it in Germany, but right now I am definitely focussed on playing in the EPL. I wouldn't mind going back to Germany, but right now am a definitely really focussed on playing for Blackburn.

Rednation Online: As you ponder the route that you would like your career to take, how important is it to you to have the opportunity to participate in European competitions such as the Champions League and the Europa League?

David Junior Hoilett: I'd definitely like to play in the Champions League every season. But right now I know I just have to keep focussed and work hard in training and that time will come.

Rednation Online: You joined the youth setup with Blackburn Rovers when you were 13 and you and your family made the decision for you to go to Europe to pursure your football career at an early age. When did you first know that you wanted to be a professional footballer?

David Junior Hoilett: I have always wanted to be a professional footballer and to achieve that goal has always been very difficult. I have really had to strive, work hard and keep focussed. My family has always supported me and I have always just kept working hard.

Rednation Online: How did you end up joining the Blackburn organization?

David Junior Hoilett: At age 11 I went to a tournament in Wales with the Canadian team and that is when I got scouted by the club. At age 12 I went on trial with Blackburn for a month and they liked me and wanted me to sign, but I had to think it over before I could decide to move over to England. I thought about it for quite a long time and then at the age of 13 I decided to make the move.

Rednation Online: Many young Canadians who make the decision to play their youth careers oversees struggle with islotion, culture shock and feelings of being homesick while being away from their friends and families. Your father David Hoilett Senior has advised you throughout your career and has been a strong influence. What are some of the things that your family has done in order to ensure that you have had the right environment to succeed?

David Junior Hoilett: They have always tried to make each situation comfortable for me and they have supported me and kept me focussed. They would call me from Canada almost every day, so I would feel like I was at home no matter where I went. I'm thankful for having the supportive family that I have.

Rednation Online: Your former teammate, Mamadi Keita, called you the most skilled and best teammate he had when he was at the Blackburn Rovers Youth Academy. When did you know that you had the skill necessary to play football at the highest level?

David Junior Hoilett: I always thought I had the skill to play at the highest level, but I also always knew that I had to keep working hard. My teammates helped me too and I learned a lot from them as well as the coaching staff. I'm very happy and thankful for the situation that I am in now.

Rednation Online: Pretty much everybody with the Blackburn organization has raved about you and your Rovers teammate David Dunn has compared you to Jermain Defoe. How would you describe your greatest strengths as a player and what parts of your game do you still feel you need to improve upon?

David Junior Hoilett: I think my greatest strengths as a player are driving at defenders with pace and skill and my ability create chances on the attack. I think my weaknesses are that I need to continue to work on my defence and getting back into the defensive position as quickly as possible.

Rednation Online: You were a key player in Blackburn's recent win against Chelsea in the Carling Cup, winning a penalty in extra time and then later converting the crucial 5th penalty kick in the deciding shootout. How did it feel to defeat Chelsea and what do you think the team needs to do to be successful in the seminfinal match against Aston Villa?

David Junior Hoilett: The win against Chelsea was great. It's not every day that you get a chance to beat Chelsea the way that we did. It was great game for the team and the fans. In the next round of the competition we just need to keep doing what we have been doing and that is working hard and staying focussed.

Rednation Online: You were born in Brampton, Ontario and were just recently announced as one of the nominees for the Male Canadian U-20 Player of the Year. What do awards like that mean to you as a player and as a Canadian?

David Junior Hoilett: I have been working hard to get noticed as a young player. I just need to stay focussed and keep working as a player and hopefully that will result in more awards.

Rednation Online: Your brother Jaineil is another player whose career is on the rise. He performed well with Canada at the 2009 CONCACAF Under-17 Qualification Tournament in Mexico and was recently announced as one of the nominees for the Male Canadian U-17 Player of the Year and currently plays for FSV Mainz 05 in Germany. How is his season going this year and how would you describe him as a player?

David Junior Hoilett: His season has been going great so far. He's been scoring a lot of goals and has been a key player for Mainz. Jaineil is a strong centre forward and a strong central midfielder as well. He has pace and power and is good on the ball.

Rednation Online: Stephen Hart was recently named as the head coach of Canada’s Men's National Team and annointed as the person who will lead Canada to the 2014 World Cup. Stephen is someone who has worked with and is respected by a great number of Canada's young players and senior players as both a coach and in the position of Canadian Soccer Association Technical Director. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on Stephen's appointment?

David Junior Hoilett: I think it is a great opportunity for Stephen Hart to take the National Team forward and I wish him all the best. He is a great manager.

Rednation Online: Have you given a lot of thought as to your own career at the International level?

David Junior Hoilett: At this point in time I am just focussed on establishing my role as a player with Blackburn. As a young player, I think it is the right thing to do to keep focussed on cementing my role in the starting lineup before thinking about international duty at this point in time.

Rednation Online: I recently had the opportunity to attend a Danone Nations Cup soccer camp in Toronto for Under-11 and Under-12 soccer players and I recently learned that you are probably the most famous alumnai from that project, as you were the Canadian team captain in 2001. How did that program help you as a youth player and how important do you think projects such as that are for the development of young Canadian soccer players?

David Junior Hoilett: It was one of the key moments in my career. It helped me as a young player to see how it is to travel with the team and experience playing away from your home country, as well as learning how to bond with other players and how to play against teams from other countries. I learned a lot through that situation and I think it is a great development program for youth players. I learned a lot on the field as well as off the field and I think that it is a great program.

Rednation Online: At only 19 years of age and playing in the EPL, you've reached a level and goal that many footballers around the world never achieve. What do you do to keep your head level and focussed working hard, and how have you set your next set of goals for the future?

David Junior Hoilett: To keep focussed, I just try to stay humble and keep in contact with my family. They are ones that help me to keep focussed and keep me humble minded. In terms of the future, I'm just looking to get more experience and, of course, more goals.

Rednation Online: With the success of Toronto FC and with Montreal and Vancouver soon to join Major League Soccer, as well the possibility of professional teams in other Canadian cities, soccer is clearly a sport that is on the rise in Canada - at the professional and participation levels and with fans and supporters of the professional and national teams. Do you keep a close eye on soccer developments in Canada and what are your thoughts on the recent rise in profile that the sport has attained?

David Junior Hoilett: I think soccer development in Canada is really moving forward at this moment in time. Toronto FC has really established a good reputation as part of the MLS. There is a good fan base in Toronto as well. Hopefully Vancouver and Montreal will make the same impact in the MLS as Toronto has. Major League Soccer is really helping the Canadian Soccer Program to get forward and I'm very happy for the situation. Hopefully it will become as big as the EPL some day.

David Hoilett taking the ninth penalty in the Rovers vs Chelsea Carling Cup Quarter Final. Recorded from the Blackburn End: