Whitecaps FC announce 2015 Academy Centre Players of the Year

In conjunction with the 2015 Whitecaps FC Player Awards presented by BMO, the club also announced the first ever Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Players of the Year. While some players have recently joined newly launched Academy Centres in their region, all recipients have represented the club’s mantra of Our all. Our honour. both on the field and in their communities. 14 players have been selected from across the 13 Academy Centre locations.

Name:
Tristan Plater


Hometown:
Port Alberni


Age:
12


Position:
Midfielder


What his coaches say:
“Tristan is a very hard working player. He is also very coachable and committed to improving his game. Tristan travels in from Port Alberni to train with our program and is always smiling, working hard, and enjoying himself.”

Name:
Ashlyn Pakos


Hometown:
Victoria


Age:
11


Position:
Midfielder


What her coaches say:
“Ashlyn looks for every opportunity to improve. Like her grandfather, George Pakos, Ashlyn has an undeniable love of the sport and truly finds joy in her playing and learning.  Ashlyn is an exciting player with great potential who is consistently giving her all to continue her development.”

Name:
Jonathan Rinaldi


Hometown:
Kamloops


Age:
13


Position:
Defender/Midfielder


What his coaches say:
“Jonathan is a relentless worker. His goal is to play at the highest level possible and he works daily towards that.  He has a love and passion for the game and exudes that in every session. He is an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Name:
McKenna Bennett


Hometown:
Nelson


Age:
16 


Position:
Defender 


What her coaches say:
“McKenna has shown fantastic leadership on and off the field for Whitecaps FC in the Kootenays. She endorses the “Whitecaps Way”. McKenna is a pleasure to coach.” 

Name:
Titus Johnson 


Hometown:
Cranbrook 


Age:
13


Position:
Midfielder 


What his coaches say:
“Titus has shown tremendous commitment and desire to his development, including having to travel up to four hours to make practice on occasion. His ability on the field is improving all the time.”

Name:
Patrick Melo


Gender:
Male


Hometown:
London, Ontario


Age:
16


Position:
Midfielder


What his coaches say:
"Patrick is known for being an amazing teammate and consummate team player, while being one of the top soccer players in Ontario. He is a high honours student and a team leader for his high school soccer, volleyball, and badminton teams. He is also captain of his London Youth Whitecaps team. Patrick is a leader and role model both on and off the field."

Name:
Kezia Gesell 


Hometown:
Winnipeg 


Age:
16


Position:
Goalkeeper 


What her coaches say:
“Kezia is a high character player that is extremely motivated to improve every opportunity she gets. She is truly a leader on and off the field. Kezia also supports the soccer community in Manitoba by coaching in her free time.”

Name:
Hannah Emmond


Hometown:
Prince George 


Age:
16 


Position:
Midfielder 


What her coaches say:
“Hannah is committed to developing and becoming a better soccer player. She pushes every player around her and she has a work rate that is like no other. She asks questions to staff that bring out the concepts we preach. She listens well and never complains. She has no fear on the field and has been a pleasure to coach.”

Name:
Parker Browne


Hometown:
Quesnel 


Age:
15


Position:
Midfielder 


What his coaches say:
“Parker is motivated to become a high level soccer player. He constantly asks how he can improve and he is the first player taking younger players under his wing and helping support them. He encourages his team to work and always stays positive with them. Parker is a fantastic kid and becoming a better soccer player daily.”

Name:
Morgan Asling


Hometown:
Kelowna


Age:
16


Position:
Midfielder


What her coaches say:
“Morgan is a terrific young player who has attended the academy for two years now. She always works hard, listens, and is hungry to keep learning and improving.”

Name:
Mathew Hnatiw


Hometown:
Saskatoon


Age:
15


Position:
Midfielder


What his coaches say:
“Mathew has been identified as a High Potential Player and has been on two evaluation trips to Vancouver. He sets a standard far beyond his age and is always the last player collecting gear and organizing others. In his free time, he volunteers coaching at our summer camps and skills academy and shows fantastic mentorship abilities.”

Name:
Michael Weiland


Hometown:
Squamish


Age:
12


Position:
Midfielder 


What his coaches say:
“Michael has a strong work ethic, coupled with technical ability. He shows maximum commitment and is a quick learner. He is a pleasure to coach, and the respect that he shows his teammates and coaches makes him an ideal candidate for this award.”

Name:
Brandon Torresan


Hometown:
North Vancouver


Age:
12


Position:
Midfielder


What his coaches say:
“Brandon has trained in our Academy Centre for a number of years and has never taken a day off. He works hard and gives his full attention to training. He challenges himself to get better and is very respectful to coaches and other players, while also staying extremely competitive. As a result, Brandon was selected to join the Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency program as an under-age player this year.”

Name:
Caylah Lemon


Hometown:
Surrey


Age:
13


Position:
Defender


What her coaches say:
“Caylah has impressed her academy coaches with how well she applies herself in training. She has a fantastic work ethic and attitude. Caylah is part of the BC High Potential program and she was recently invited to play with Whitecaps FC at the San Diego Surf Cup.”