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13 Ontario players called to Canada Soccer Women’s U-17 National EXCEL camp

By Staff, 09/26/17, 2:15PM EDT

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11 OPDL players will attend the second last camp of 2017

Play. Inspire. Unite. 

Canada Soccer Women’s U-17 National EXCEL (NEX) Program has invited 26 players into its second last camp of 2017, as efforts ramp up ahead of a competitive 2018 beginning with the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship in Nicaragua 19-29 April, which will determine qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 running 13 November to 1 December 2018.

The NEX camp will take place in Burnaby, BC from 28 September to 5 October and will include 13 players from Ontario, 11 of which hail from the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

“This is an incredibly critical time for the development of these players and the group, as we look ahead to major competitions next year and their progression up through the overall system. Our strategy of centralising our most promising NEX talent into our REX Super Centres is now underway, so it’s really exciting to see the strides made by players since we were last together collectively.” said Bev Priestman, Canada Soccer National EXCEL Director 14-20.  “We have a fantastic tournament experience from the China series to draw from as we continue to build upon the Women’s EXCEL curriculum and playing model but the staff will also work hard one-on-one with players off the field to provide clear focus areas between now and the next camp to keep pushing players to reach new levels.”

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 National EXCEL Program has already held camps in May and June and competed in a four nations tournament in China in 2017, providing several critical touchpoints for technical staff to work with the players.

“The group now understands the demands of international tournament football and with the CONCACAF Championship around the corner, we have our eye on ensuring this group qualifies in order to provide these individuals with the best learning platform of all, a FIFA tournament,” said Priestman.  “These sorts of experiences are exactly what is needed to support the development of our players as they aim to progress towards the Women’s National Team and the top level of women’s football.” 

Canada won the CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship in 2010, placed second in 2012 and 2013, and third in 2008 and 2016.   Three teams from the CONCACAF region will qualify from the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship Nicaragua for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018. Canada has qualified for every FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the tournaments inception in 2008, and has reached the quarterfinals three times, in 2008, 2012, and 2014.

With the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup also taking place in 2018, the Canada Soccer NEX Program is moving into high gear to prepare players for the international stage.

“We know next year will be a big one for all youth players in the system, so we’ve been putting in the work to prepare them throughout 2017 which has included tournaments and multiple development camps, some of which have included John Herdman (Canada Soccer’s Women’s Program Director and National Team Head Coach), which I think signifies the alignment and the investment in the overall system with 2019, 2020 and beyond in mind,” added Priestman.

Canada Soccer’s EXCEL System has already produced eight Women’s National Team players, and Olympic bronze medalists, in Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence, Jessie Fleming, Rebecca Quinn, Janine Beckie, Shelina Zadorsky, Deanne Rose, and Gabrielle Carle, three of whom are still eligible for youth competition.   Additionally, 2018 youth eligible EXCEL players Hannah Taylor, Jordyn Huitema, Sarah Stratigakis, Ashley Cathro have all been called up to Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team in 2017, giving them additional experiences to draw from as they head into 2018.

Over the last four years the quality of experience for young, talented, Canadian female players has improved, inspiring them to reach greater heights, while at the same time providing them with the tools to meet the demands and rigors of the ever-improving international women’s game.  Attracting and helping to retain more talented players to soccer, the EXCEL Program is widening and strengthening the talent base in Canada and creating more opportunities for Canada to excel in future Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cups.  

Canada Soccer Women’s National EXCEL Program brings together the best with the best at the national youth level. Operating across the U-14 to U-20 age groups, the program is designed to deliver an aligned talent structure and system that progresses more top players to Canada’s Women’s National Team.

Canada Soccer NEX U-17 Camp Roster (By Name, Year Born, Club and Province)

Oluwateniola (Teni) Akindoju, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Soccer Nova Scotia REX Program / Dunbrack Soccer Club*), NS

Jayde Riviere, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Markham Soccer Club OPDL*), ON

Aaliyah Scott, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Markham Soccer Club OPDL*), ON

Maya Antoine, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Vaughan Soccer Club OPDL*), ON

Maya Ladhani, 2002, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Vaughan Soccer Club OPDL*), ON

Andersen Williams, 2002, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre (Alberta REX South / Calgary South West United*), AB/ BC

Caitlin Shaw, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre, BC

Alyson Hay, 2001, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Super Centre, BC

Mya Jones, 2001, Alberta REX South / Calgary Foothills, AB

Maliah De Rosario, 2001, Markham Soccer Club OPDL, ON

Serita Thurton, 2002, Markham Soccer Club OPDL, ON

Anna Karpenko, 2002, Vaughan Soccer Club OPDL, ON

Olivia Scott, 2001, Aurora Youth Soccer Club OPDL, ON

Kaila Novak, 2002, FC London Academy, ON

Jade Rose, 2003, Unionville SC OPDL, ON

Isabella Hanisch, 2002, Ottawa South United Club OPDL, ON

Ariel Young, 2001, Ottawa Fury, ON

Olivia Cooke, 2001, West Ottawa SC OPDL/League1 Ontario, ON

Sophie Guilmette, 2001, Quebec REX Super Centre/ Lakeshore SC, QC

Lara Kazandjian, 2002, Quebec REX Super Centre/ Lakeshore SC, QC

Jessica De Fillippo, 2001,  Quebec REX Super Centre / Lakeshore SC, QC

Wayny-Natasha Balata Nguenign, 2001, Quebec REX Super Centre / Lakeshore SC, QC

Julianne Vallerand, 2001, Quebec REX Super Centre/ Varennes, QC

Leonie Portelance, 2001, Quebec REX Super Centre/ Varennes, QC

Elisabeth Tsé, 2002, Quebec REX Super Centre / Phénix des Rivières de Quebec, QC

Latifah Abdu,  2001, Lakeshore SC, QC