How do we measure success? In the sporting world, it’s usually measured by championships and trophies — in other words, by wins and losses. But a common trend is emerging at the Nor’West London Soccer Club. Not only is the club seeing success in the development of players (with both its grassroots House League program and with teams at higher levels of competition in various Regional and Provincial leagues), but now the organization is also seeing individual players taking their games to the next level.
This success does come at a price, as players trade their time for a high level of commitment and personal sacrifice. However, this commitment brings with it incredible rewards, and several Nor’West players are starting to see these rewards in the form of varsity scholarships and opportunities to play on a national stage.
Jessie Fleming, a longtime player with the Nor’West Wildcats, was one of 13 players from Ontario who were chosen among 30 promising young women to take part in Canada’s upcoming U-14 to U-16 Women’s National Excel Camp in Burnaby, BC. It’s an amazing accomplishment for Jessie, as this is the next step in securing a roster spot in the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship (a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier) in Jamaica in October.
Stephanie McCoy, a goalkeeper with the Nor’West Shock U18 OYSL team, has accepted a scholarship with Mount Olive College in Mt. Olive, North Carolina, and she will be heading there in the fall of 2013. Stephanie will be majoring in Biology and playing in the Conference Carolinas with a team that made it to the conference quarterfinals last year. She has been with the Nor’West Competitive division for three years.
Brandon Marino, meanwhile, will be attending Luther College on a full soccer scholarship next fall. Luther College is an NCAA Div III school in Decorah, Iowa. Brandon has played several seasons for the Nor’West Phoenix, and was also recruited two seasons ago by the Toronto Lynx soccer program.
And there are four more promising athletes who play on the Nor’West U17 Girls OYSL squad and have committed to varsity soccer in the U.S. next year. Julia Benati will attend the University of Buffalo, Shae-Lynn VanGassen is headed to Kellogg College in Battle Creek Michigan, Montana Portenier is off to the University of Evansville in Indiana, and Jessica Vieira will attend Faulkner University in Alabama.
Congratulations to all of these amazing Nor’West London athletes as they take their game to the next level!
www.norwestsoccer.com
