The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Saturday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite defender/midfielder Rachel Jones, and midfielders Simmrin Dhaliwal and Samantha Donald are among 24 players called up for an upcoming women's U-15 talent identification camp in Vaughan, ON. The seven-day camp, which will lay the groundwork for the next two-year women's U-17 cycle, runs December 14 to 20, 2012.
Jones and Dhaliwal previously played for Mountain United FC while Donald played for Surrey United SC. All three players also took part in the BC Soccer Provincial Team Program and the National Training Centre.
"We're very proud to see our young players benefit from playing in the Girls Elite program," said Jesse Symons, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite head coach. "Having trained daily with other top-level players who've represented Canada at the U-17 national team level has given them great knowledge and understanding of what it takes. Emphasis on developing these young players is paramount to ensuring long-term success for Canada's women's national team programs."
This marks the first project for 1997-born players, an age group that will be eligible for the women's U-17 international competitions in 2014. The camp will be led by Canada's Women's Excel Program U-20 director and coach Andrew Olivieri.
All 24 players are taking part in their first-ever national project.
CANADA
GK- Devon Kerr | CAN / Glen Shields
GK- Patricia Koutoulas | CAN / Brams United
GK- Ashleah McDonald | CAN / Coastal FC
CB- Quinn Hardstaff | CAN / Calgary Foothills
CB- Adrienne Li | CAN / Capital United
CB- Easther Mayi Kith | CAN / Royal Sélect Beauport
FB- Hannah Carrothers | CAN / Coastal FC
FB- Rachel Jones | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Girls Elite
FB- Nadia Pestell | CAN / Brams United
FB- Mika Richards | CAN / Brams United
M- Simmrin Dhaliwal | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Girls Elite
M- Samantha Donald | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Girls Elite
M- Olivia Gauthier | CAN / Fundy Soccer
M- Sarah Kinzner | CAN / Calgary Foothills SC
M- Sarah Médéiros | CAN / Laser de Joliette
M- Marie-Mychèle Métivier | CAN / Armada de Chaudière-Est
M- Bianca St-Georges | CAN / Laser de Joliette
M- April Trowbridge | CAN / Halifax County United
M- Cassie Wheldon | CAN / Burlington Youth SC
M- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
F- Katherine Bearne | CAN / Halifax City
F- Emily Borgmann | CAN / Erin Mills
F- Jessie Fleming | CAN / NorWest SC
F- Monpreet Heer | CAN / Surrey United SC
