Future looks bright for Grade 7 soccer player

Future looks bright for Grade 7 soccer player
Posted on 05/16/2019
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Soccer Game

13-year-old Scanlon Wiebe is carving out a bright future on the soccer field. Wiebe was one of 30 players to be selected for a Game of Distinction at the 2019 Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Combine.

"I was really excited because I didn't think I would be chosen because I'm a year younger. I played in different positions than I usually do, but I think I still played really well. I got an assist." said Wiebe.

The combine is an opportunity for the Whitecaps FC to scout players for their Whitecaps FC Boys MLS Academy and the Girls Elite REX program. Wiebe competed against approximately 180 other players throughout the week and was selected to be a part of the Game of Distinction, despite being a full year younger than the other athletes.

Scanlon Wiebe"It was intimidating because some of the kids were really, really tall. But, you still have to try hard because if you're scouted you get to go to Vancouver and play soccer," said Wiebe.

The combine brings together the best players from across Canada. The athletes participate in training sessions and presentations led by some top names in the Whitecaps organization including head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Marc Dos Santos, and President of the club, Bob Lenarduzzi.

"It's a great opportunity for him to participate at that level," said Scott Ansell, Technical Lead with the Manitoba Soccer Association. "I monitored his progress and I know he's a player of real quality, he has potential to get looked at for the next level."

Ansell has been working closely with Wiebe's Dad, Lyle Wiebe, to bring more elite programs to the Kenora area.

"Without the link to Manitoba these players wouldn't have the ability to showcase themselves. The gap to Toronto is about 24 hours so it's not feasible to get these pathways. This gives kids from Kenora an opportunity to be scouted," said Ansell.

While Wiebe wasn't eligible to be chosen for the Academy this year due to being a year younger, he said he's already looking forward to returning in November and March for a shot at being scouted. In the meantime he'll be working hard on his skills.

"My Dad is my coach and he says there wasn't a lot of opportunities like this when he was playing, so it's pretty cool," he said. "He keeps pushing me and actually all the coaches at St. Thomas Aquinas, like Coach Fen, help push me to get better."

Soccer Team

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