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Canada calls 13 Ontario players to U-17 Women's National EXCEL camp

By Staff, 06/05/17, 12:00PM EDT

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11 OPDL players invited to camp ahead of U-17 Four Nations Tournament

Play. Inspire. Unite. 

Canada Soccer is holding its final tracking camp for U-17 players ahead of a U17 Women’s Four Nations Tournament in China in July from 29 May to 4 June in Burnaby, BC.

Thirteen Ontario players have been called to the camp, including 11 from the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL). 

The camp will continue to focus on the development of this age group through Canada Soccer’s National EXCEL Curriculum and provide National EXCEL Director Bev Priestman a final opportunity to assess the players ahead of selection for a friendly four nations tournament in China against Japan, China and the USA. A critical tournament for the player’s development, it will serve as a key testing ground ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018.

In the leadup to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018, there will be an additional three development camps in 2018, as well as a CONCACAF tournament for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup early in the year.

“We’re excited to have this group together and to be preparing for a major overseas tournament where we really do get to assess the individuals for the EXCEL system and the group collectively. It’s a critical time and jigsaw piece in their development as players, not only for the short term but also long term,” said Priestman. “It’s been great to see the progress players have made since the last camp, and we continue to layer and build on their understanding of the Women’s EXCEL playing model and positional profiles in a camp, but also remotely through the alignment to REX Directors in their delivery in Regional EXCEL Centres. The tour to China will provide this group with an excellent tournament in a format which replicates World Cup qualification and will provide us with a great snapshot of what these players need both in the short term and in their longer-term Women’s National Team journey.”

Canada Soccer’s EXCEL System, designed by Women's EXCEL Program Director and Women’s National Team Head Coach John Herdman, 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.

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 Women’s EXCEL Camp Roster (By Name, Year Born, Club and Province)

Oluwateniola (Teni) Akindoju, 2001, Soccer Nova Scotia REX Program / Dunbrack Soccer Club, NS
Sydney Kennedy, 2001, Soccer Nova Scotia REX Program / Surburban FC, NS
Aaliyah Scott, 2001, Markham Soccer Club ON | OPDL
Maliah DeRosario, 2001, Markham Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Anna Karpenko, 2002, Vaughan Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Maya Antoine, 2001, Vaughan Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Maya Ladhani, 2002, Vaughan Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Olivia Scott, 2001, Aurora Youth Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Serita Thurton, 2002, Markham Soccer Club, ON
Sonia Walk, 2002, North Toronto Nitros, ON | OPDL
Taliyah Walker, 2003, Unionville Milliken Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Ariel Young, 2001, Ottawa Fury, ON
Isabella Hanisch, 2002, Ottawa South United Club, ON | OPDL

Sophie Guilmette, 2001, Quebec REX / Lakeshore SC, QC
Elisabeth Tsé, 2002, Quebec REX / Phénix des Rivières de Quebec, QC
Julianne Vallerand, 2001, Quebec REX / Varennes, QC
Lara Kazandjian, 2002, Quebec REX / Lakeshore SC, QC
Audrey Chelsie François, 2004, Quebec REX / CS MONeuil U15 F AAA. QC
Latifah Abdu, 2001, Lakeshore U16AAA, QC
Stella Downing, 2002, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX, BC
Maya Rogers, 2003, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX, BC
Caitlin Shaw, 2001, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX, BC
Jayde Riviere, 2001, Markham Soccer Club, ON | OPDL
Kaila Novak, 2002, FC London Academy, ON

Aleisha Ganief, 2002, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX, BC