Academy Centre Players of the Month - November

Whitecaps FC Academy Centres are a network of regional training hubs linked through key staff, curriculum, and standards that provide professional supplemental club training for serious, motivated players. Whitecaps FC currently have a network from British Columbia to Ontario, including locations in Kamloops, the Kootenays, London (Ontario), Manitoba, Northern BC, the Okanagan, Saskatchewan, Squamish, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy and select the academy in your region.

Below are the Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Players of the Month for November.

Name:
Leon Lafuente


Birth Year:
2003


What his coaches say:
 "Leon has come to the training sessions this month with a true desire to learn and to grow. He puts in fantastic effort and he is focused every training session. We look forward to the future growth of Leon."

Name: Madison Marsh
Birth Year: 2002
What her coaches say: “Madison has continued to focus on her development over the past few months and is starting to see the products of her efforts. Madison is a player who seeks out opportunities to grow and it will be exciting to see where she is in a few years."

Name:
Alessandro Comita


Birth Year: 
2004


What his coaches say:
 "Alessandro shows an amazing work ethic and a pure love for the game of soccer.  He has been training with groups two to three age groups older and has excelled at this level.  His love for the game and enthusiasm and smile on his face is always infectious and he is a pleasure to work with."

Name: Emily Mann
Birth Year: 1999
What her coaches say: "Emily has been in the Kamloops Academy from its inception and has been on our HPP list from the beginning. She has a fantastic work ethic and comes to every training session ready to play. Her skill level and knowledge has grown exponentially and will only get better because of her passion for the game and learning. She is an absolute pleasure to work with."

Name:
Lucy Fox


Birth Year:
 2001


What her coaches say:
“Lucy has been with the academy now for two years. She has become better and better. Lucy listens well and has a real desire to improve her game." 

Name: Michael Moon
Birth Year: 1998 
What his coaches say: “Michael is a very committed player on and off the field. He has shown huge dedication to continually improve."

Name: Ethan Gopaul
Birth Year: 1999
What his coaches say: "Ethan spent a week in Vancouver with the Residency program this month. He continues to impress here in our London Academy with his lightning quick speed and dynamic playing ability. We are equally excited by the way he is using his personality to help create a climate and culture that everyone at our young academy are loving being a part of."

Name: Rylee Foster
Birth Year: 1998
What her coaches say: "Rylee was recently called up to Canada's U-20 women's national team for the CONCACAF Championship tournament in Honduras. It has been amazing for the goalkeepers in our London Academy to be able to watch and train alongside Rylee as our head goalkeeper coach Abe Hadzic has been helping prepare her for the ournament. Her commitment, dedication and intensity in training is contagious and she is already a great role model for the young keepers in our club."

Name: Tomas Chaloupka
Birth Year: 2000
What his coaches say: "Tomas is a constant professional and has been playing at an extremeley high level this month. This is a testament to his work ethic on and off the field."

Name: Sierra Halldorson
Birth Year: 2000
What her coaches say: "Sierra has been working very hard this month and it is showing in her game. Her high focus levels and attention to detail allow her to continue to improve."

Name:
Morgan Holyk 


Birth Year:
2002


What her coaches say:
“Morgan has a growth mindset as a soccer player. She pushes herself to be the best she can be and in turn brings the entire level of the group up. She challenges players around her to work hard and push themselves to become better soccer players."

Name:Winter Comeau
Birth Year: 2003
What his coaches say: “Winter trains both in Quesnel and in Prince George with our Cariboo Academy and Northern Academy. Winter trains with players his own age, two to three years older and younger and always comes to train with the same mindset. Winter's mindset is all about how he can become a better soccer player. With this attitude in training he pushes others and challenges them to improve."

Name:
Liam Glennon


Birth Year: 
2002


What his coaches say:
 "Liam has been performing consistently well in our Vernon school academy. He has a great attitude towards training and learning."

Name: Abigail Taneda
Birth Year: 2003
What her coaches say: "Abigail is new to the Okanagan prospects academy this fall phase and we have been very impressed with her technical skills and her overall level of play."

Name:
Simon Funk


Birth Year:
2004


What his coaches say:
“Simon has been with us for three year. During that time he has shown a great passion for the game, always looking to improve, and now has been rewarded by being brought into the U14 Prospects Academy for additional training opportunities. We look forward to seeing Simon improving within our Academy.”

Name: Landis Corbeil
Birth Year: 2003
What her coaches say: “Landis has been part of the Skills and Pre Prospects Academy for three years. Landis recently joined the female prospects group and continues to show leadership at a young age. She responds well to challenges and possesses a competitive desire to improve during every session.”

Name:
Taiga Lida


Birth Year:
2001


What his coaches say:
“Taiga shows up to every session ready to train and ready to work hard and learn. His hard work ethic coupled with an obvious internal drive to challenge himself and those around him shines through at every session. Taiga is a pleasure to coach and is a deserving candidate for this award."

Name: Mary Bethe White-Bothe
Birth Year: 2002
What her coaches say: "Mary Bethe has shown great commitment to the academy. She shows positive leadership and has a great understanding of the importance of training well. We have seen a noticeable improvement in regard to confidence and developing skills as a result of her commitment and also her willingness to apply herself, work hard, learn and execute. She is a pleasure to coach and exemplifies the club motto of "Our all. Our honour."

Name:
Yasmine Pahal


Birth Year:
 2004


What her coaches say:
 "As a member of our goalkeeper academy, Yasmine displays a great attitude and work ethic at every session and has made great improvements in her goalkeeping abilities over the past three months."