Vanessa Gilles Bio, Age, Player Profile, Career, 5 Unknown Facts

Vanessa Gilles is a Canadian footballer currently playing as a defender in France for Girondins de Bordeaux and the Canada women’s national team. She is a very active athlete who had interests in other areas of sports, but never thought she would play football. This was why she didn’t start playing early until the age of 16.

Previously, she has played for teams such as the Cincinnati Bearcats (an athletic team that represents the University of Cincinnati), West Ottawa SC, and Apollon Limassol. Here is more about the Canadian Defender.

Venessa Gilles’ Bio

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Her parents Giuseppina and Denis Gilles gave birth to her on the 11th of March 1996 in Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada. She was raised alongside her brother Sebastian in a family with both French and Canadian roots; being that her father was born in Paris, while her mother was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Before she was born, her parents were living in Shanghai, China, they flew to Canada where she was born. They finally moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada when Gilles was 12.

While growing up, she played more tennis than soccer. She began playing soccer at 16 for Ottawa Capital United SC.

Educationally, she attended the University of Cincinnati where she was part of the school’s athletics team. At the end of her studies, she earned a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in IT in 2018.

Giles is currently 29 years old.

Also; Read Hailey Baptiste’s Tennis Career and Earnings, Bio, Dating, 7 unknown facts

Player Profile of Vanessa Gilles 

• Full Name: Vanessa Brigitte Gilles
• Date of Birth: 11th March 1996
• Age: 29 years old
• Place of Birth: Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada
• Nationality: Canada
• Parents: Denis Gilles (father), Giuseppina (mother)
• Sibling(s): Sebastian
• Current Club: Girondins de Bordeaux
• Position: Defender
• Jersey: #23
• Youth Career: Ottawa Capital United SC
• College Career: Cincinnati Bearcats
• Senior Club Career: West Ottawa SC, Apollon Limassol, Bordeaux
• International Career: France Under-12, Canada
• Education: University of Cincinnati
• Height: 1.70m (5 feet 7inches)
• Weight: 56kg (123lbs)

Vanessa Gilles’ Career

The defender made her debut for the Canada women’s national team in a 2019 friendly match against the Swiss women’s national side before making her first tournament appearance at the Yongchuan International Tournament. She was also part of the Canada squad that competed at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, where Canada finished in 3r place, after losing 1 nil to the USA.

In 2018, she was a part of the French under-13 team that played a friendly match against Belgium; Since her father was born in Paris, she is legible to play for France. However, she switched allegiance to play for Canada, since she hasn’t played for the French women’s senior national team.

Gilles became a member of Team Ontario that competed at the 2013 Canada Summer Games, forming a formidable defensive line with 4 clean sheets in 5 games. The team went on to win a bronze medal at the end of the games.

She played collegiate football for the University of Cincinnati’s Bearcats for 4 years, featuring in all games for the team. In her freshman year, Gilles made it to the AAC All-Rookie Team, and in her Sophomore, she won the AAC tournament’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. This saw her being named to the AAC Second Team.

In 2017, she became the AAC Co-Defensive Players of the Year and also earned a First Team All-Conference selection. It was also the same years she went professional and joined Apollon FC of the Cypriot First Division. The team went on to win the 2018 Cypriot Cup after she featured in 14 games and netted 10 goals for them.

A year later, Gilles moved to the French first division side, FC Girondins de Bordeaux for the 20188/19 campaign. The team gained higher ratings in 2020/21, finishing 3r in the league and securing a Champions League spot.

Unknown Facts About Vanessa Gilles

1. She Was Initially A Goalie 

Giles began to play football when she was 16. And at that period she was playing as a goalkeeper, however, she lacked the direction for the role. So, she became a defender instead.

2. Why She Picked Canada Over France

One moment that captured her attention and drawn her to the Canada women’s national team was when they competed at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which Canada hosted. Ever since her desire to represent Canada grew and she grabbed it when the opportunity presented itself in 2019.

She chose to play for Canada, having only played for the French under-23 side.

3. First Time Olympian At the Tokyo Olympics

After debuting for Canada in 2019, she played in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup. And now she is representing Canada at the Tokyo Olympics as a first-timer. According to her, she wouldn’t have made it to the team if the Olympics were held in 2020. Interestingly, she helped the team to win the tournament after defeating Sweden in the finals.

4. She Is Among 3 University of Cincinnati Former Athletes Competing At The Olympics Since 2008

Gilles and two other former UC athletes; Annette Echikunwoke and Jordan Thompson are competing at the Tokyo Olympics. They became the first UC athletes to do so after Mary Wineberg in 2008.

5. Vanessa Gilles Spoke Once At The United Nations

Gilles delivered a speech at the United Nations as part of the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Complete profile of Vanessa Gilles