Super stopper

East St. Paul

Bridgwater Forest

Wildwood Park

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/10/2023 (767 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Goalkeeper Sam Powell’s future looks like it’s in safe hands.

The 14-year-old Winnipegger recently joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, which is also an official Canada Soccer National Development Centre.

The Development Centre is a full-time, fully funded player development program for females in B.C. that’s directly linked to the women’s national youth teams.

Powell, who lived in Bridgwater Forest and attended St. John’s-Ravenscourt School prior to moving to Vancouver a few weeks ago, grew up in the local soccer system, playing for A.K. Soccer Academy, 1v1 Futbol Dreams, FC Northwest, Winnipeg South End United and the Manitoba Soccer Regional Excel (REX) Centre.

“It’s kind of been my dream to play for the Whitecaps, and I’ve wanted to be in that environment for a long time, so I was super-excited when I found out I’d been accepted at the academy,” said Powell, speaking on Oct. 1 during a whistle-stop return to Winnipeg.

She was home to prepare for the upcoming U-17 Cup national championships in Moncton, N.B., where she played for East St. Paul-based A.K. Soccer Academy in the Under 17 Cup (results were unavailable at press time).

The teen ’keeper said her ambition has always been to play for Canada’s national team, and feels that this latest opportunity will help her fulfil that goal.

“It’s a good pathway,” she said. “I’ve always had dreams to play on the national team.”

The Development Centre in Vancouver is home to approximately 30 of the top female players from across Western Canada, and gives them the chance to achieve their potential as elite soccer players.

Powell began full-time training with the academy less than a month ago, and said she’s enjoying the challenge and experience.

The teen’s background as a multi-sport athlete will no doubt stand her in good stead for the upcoming season; she has also played basketball, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee.

Between the posts on the soccer pitch, Powell said she loves the sense of adventure, as well as expecting the unexpected, that playing in goal brings.

“Being in net, the unpredictability part of it has always intrigued me about the position. You can face 500 shots at the net and no two shots might ever be the same, so it’s a mentally challenging position and different to other positions, and you always have to be switched on,” Powell said.

Erin McNulty is a goalkeeping coach with girls elite program who also knows a thing or two about playing between the posts. A native Winnipegger, McNulty has represented Canada on the international stage.

“We were excited to be able to bring Sam in,” McNulty said. “She’s a younger player, and she has lots of potential and great attributes. She’s a multi-sport athlete, and she moves very well. Sam brings good leadership skills, and she has a good mindset. She’s keen to learn, and she asks questions and listens to feedback.”

Manitoba Soccer Association technical lead Chris Lourenco said in a press release that the association is proud of Powell’s achievements to date.

“From early on, she has shown her potential in each session during her short time with the REX program,” he said. “We would like to thank all the organizations and people in her life who have supported her development and helped her take the next step in her journey.”