Jaida Lee (St. John’s, NL) scores a perfect 10 on her mechanics — just like the number on her back with the Islanders Development Program.

By Ryan Sweeney

Premier Sports Academy Inc.

There is a secret in Newfoundland that has started to make waves across the country ... Two local players in the 2024 class are poised to make noise on the national scene.

Jaida Lee and Hudson White.

When these two first walked through the doors of Premier Sports Academy Inc. -- as members of our Islanders Development Program -- in Paradise, Newfoundland, I was shocked by their age, their physical statures, and the way they carried themselves. It displayed an unquestionable maturity well beyond their years.

Jaida (St. John’s) stands 5-foot-10, with a size 11 shoe. On the mound, Jaida is a physical presence, and a fierce competitor who regularly throws 71-73 mph. With her physical tools, and her unwavering discipline to improve, 80 mph for this young woman is not out of question. She’s not strictly a pitcher either. Put a bat in her hand, and Jaida will give you a quality plate appearance every time. Put her behind the plate and she’s like a brick wall.

Jaida has been invited multiple times to Cuba with the National Female Development program. At this point, many feel she appears to be a shoo-in to crack the roster once of age. Right now, she could very well be one of the best players in the country, and for many years to come as well.

Oh, I forgot to mention ... Jaida is a high 90s student taking advanced classes, and she’s a full year ahead in school, technically qualifying her as a 2023!

As for White (St. John’s), he is a physical specimen, measuring 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with a very large V-shaped frame. It’s easy to imagine he could fill out to be 6-foot-5, 225 pounds before he graduates high school. This young man is raw, but he has the physical tools and the work ethic necessary to complete at every level.

At 14 years old, he’s already touched 84 mph from the left side, and he is showing flashes of power with his 85 mph exit velocity. He projects well as a two-way player, capable of pitching in the low-to-mid 90s one game, then smashing 400-foot homers the next.

He is garnering attention from very prestigious programs, and is eager to prove himself. When he finally decides to leave the island, he won’t be going with the attitude of being another player on the team, he’s going with the mindset to be the best in the room.

Jaida and White represent the genesis of competitive ball in Newfoundland. There have been a few individuals before that have experienced success, but none that have had the opportunity to hone and display their craft locally.

Their potential for success and the paths they forge will directly impact the competitive drive of the next group to follow in their footsteps.

Whatever is next for Jaida and White, we are honoured that they call our facility home, and we are thrilled we could serve as a launching pad on their journeys to success.

Lee, White, a talented two hidden on The Rock (for now)