BMO Academy Centre Players of the Month - January 2020

BMO 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 coast to coast, including locations in Kamloops, the Kootenays, Manitoba, Northern BC, the Okanagan, Squamish, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, as well as in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward 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 January 2020.

SFU
Name: 
Isabell Benetti


Birth Year: 
2009
What her coaches say:
 "Izzy displays a very high level of ability in all aspects of the game. She leads by example on the pitch and raises the level around her in every session. Izzy is a pleasure to coach with her fantastic work ethic and coachability. Well done Izzy! Keep striving to get better every day!"

Birth Year:
 2010
What his coach says:
 "Arturas has been progressing very readily over the first few months in the BMO Whitecaps FC Academy System. He has an obvious love for soccer and works hard to improve his game. He is always one of the first to volunteer and demonstrate, as well as never being afraid to try new things and show is creative side. Keep working on your game and congrats on the POTM Award."
Name: 
Keyan Loseth
Birth Year: 
2006
What his coach says: 
"Keyan never stops smiling, an absolute pleasure to coach. He is a very tricky, technical player with lots of skills ready to show. Throughout the phase he has shown an incredible appetite to learn and improve his game and shows this every time he takes to the field. Without doubt one of the hardest workers in the entire academy and will literally have to be dragged off a pitch at the end of a session as he just wants more and more. Keep up your efforts and congrats on the POTM Award."

Name:
 Madeleine Williams


Birth Year: 
2007
Hometown:
 Komoka, Ontario


What her coaches say:
 "Madeleine joined our club last fall to play in our U-13 OPDL girls team as they enter their first season in the league. A very athletic and competitive forward, Madeleine had some strong performances in the exhibition games we have played so far and we look forward to watching her develop and play this season."
Name:
 Ryan Novo


Birth Year:
 2006
Hometown:
 London, Ontario
What his coaches say:
 "Ryan is a versatile and technical player in our U-14 OPDL boys team. He can play in midfield, as a fullback and as a winger, and is also growing as a leader on the field. Ryan always works hard in training, he has a great attitude and passion for the game, a pleasure to coach."

Terrace


Name:
 Jesse Hanna
Birth Year:
 2008
What he coaches say:
 "Steadily improving through every training session, Jesse continues to learn and apply new concepts explored in the Skills Academy with strong consistency. Becoming more confident and composed in possession, Jesse has worked hard to improve his ball manipulation in tight areas whilst under pressure and is now demonstrating a refined ability to evade defenders when travelling with the ball at speed. We are excited to see him continue his recent development, and we are happy to recognize Jesse as January’s Player of the Month."
Prince Rupert
Name:
 Theodore Spat
Birth Year:
 2006
What his coaches say:
 "One of the longest-serving members of our Northwest Academy Centre, Theo has excelled in recent sessions as he adopts a leadership role and strives to improve not only his own experience but also those of other players around him. Embracing the responsibilities that come with being one of the most experienced, Theo showcases smoothness in his technical skills, as well as genuine support for others in his social interactions – a combination of qualities that has earned him the respect of his peers and coaches. We are proud of the maturity he shows, and we are pleased to award Theo as January’s Player of the Month."
Kitimat
Name:
 Verissimo Lopes
Birth Year:
 2008
What his coaches say:
 "With a genuine interest in mastering different 1v1 feints and fakes, Verissimo has begun to show a comfort and self-confidence in assimilating these into his dribbling repertoire. He is curious to learn and adopt the mannerisms of prolific dribblers he sees in the professional game, Verissimo demonstrates bravery and ambition in training as he experiments with the different nuances required to consistently bypass defenders. We have been impressed by his free-flowing approach to the academy, and we are excited to present Verissimo as January’s Player of the Month." 

Name: 
Aspen Hoang


Birth Year: 
2011
Hometown: 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan


What his coaches say: 
"Aspen is fantastic to coach. He is dedicated, coachable, hard-working and always eager to improve his game, growing in confidence with every session, Aspen consistently shows great dedication and attention to detail in training. Approaching each session with enthusiasm and curiosity. Keep to those high standards and you will go far, congrats on the award and recognition.”
Name: 
Sophie McPherson


Birth Year: 
2008
Hometown:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan


What her coaches say: 
"Sophie has really progressed throughout the fall season, very hard working player. One of the most improved since the beginning of our sessions. Always has a great attitude, and is helpful to all. Well done Sophie and keep up the excellent work moving forward!”