VANCOUVER, BC - The aim of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC development structure is to provide opportunities for promising young players to rise through the ranks and continue to move up the pyramid to higher levels.
This week, two players from the Okanagan are being given a taste of that opportunity.
Kelowna’s Lucas Hickling and Okanagan Falls Isaac Bohmer, both born in 2001, are in Vancouver to train with Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency, the youngest age group of the club’s full-time professional development teams in Vancouver.
Both players are in the Whitecaps FC Okanagan Academy and play their club soccer with Thompson Okanagan FC (TOFC) in the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL). Earlier this year, Whitecaps FC partnered with TOFC to benefit soccer development in the region.
Whitecaps FC Okanagan Academy head coach David Broadhurst (pictured) is thrilled to see both Hickling, a striker, and Bohmer, a goalkeeper, train in the club's professional environment.
“Lucas has been in the Okanagan Academy for three years, and Isaac for two years,” noted Broadhurst. “Both players display the qualities that we look for. They have fantastic attitudes, great work ethics, they listen and learn, and they have a drive to take their games to the next level.”
Both players have also stood out with their playing abilities.
“Lucas is an attacking player who is having a very good season in the BCSPL,” added Broadhurst. “Isaac stands out during training and puts in consistently strong performances for TOFC. Through this partnership between Whitecaps FC and TOFC, we are very pleased to provide these opportunities.”
Opportunities that provide limitless potential for young players to shine.
For more information on Whitecaps FC Academy Centres, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy.
