She started playing badminton at aged 8. Her parents were members of a badminton club that put on clinics for kids. She won silver in doubles at the
2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. Bruce studied Engineering and played Varsity Badminton for the
University of Western Ontario, where she was named
OUA Female Rookie of the Year in 2008. At the 2009 Canadian university and college national championships, she won two gold medals in doubles play, and a silver medal in women's singles. At the 2010 Yonex National Championships, she and Martin Giuffre won the U23 Mixed Doubles title. Bruce also won bronze in Ladies' Singles, and silver in Ladies' Doubles with future Olympic partner Michelle Li. ==Personal life==