THORPE REPORT: Spring and summer soccer filled the net

As mentioned last week, the traditional fall soccer season is just getting underway locally, but there was also plenty of action in the “beautiful game” this past spring and summer.

At the international level, this was a special year, with many fans enjoying the World Cup tournament which featured some matches in Vancouver and viewing parties here in town.

Locally, Nanaimo United FC was home to men’s and women’s pro-am teams in the B.C. Premier league this spring. This was the fourth year in the league for Nanaimo teams, which were led by men’s head coach Kevin Lindo and women’s head coach Francisco Souza.

At a season-end gathering in July, Camryn Curts was recognized as the women’s team Most Valuable Player, and Mary Nicholls the team’s Unsung Hero. From the men’s side, MVP was Jimmy Steel, and Unsung Hero was Michael Heppelle.

There was plenty of spring youth soccer action as well.

This past July, Nanaimo hosted the 2026 B.C. Soccer Youth Provincial A-Cup tournament, with the local club represented by a Nanaimo United FC U18 girls’ select team.

Qualifying for a berth in provincials capped a very successful season for the squad, which had earlier finished second in Island Finals.

The team mix of U18 and U17 girls consisted of players Emmalee Armour, Abigail Boulding, Iyla Christie, Ella Creed, Skyler Davidson, Iris Hansen, Violet Johnston, Courtney Leach, Aila Limshue, Nya Wheatley, Sumalee Martinflatt, Layla Moore, Ashley Nelson, Kayla Okada, Sophia Olsen, Samantha Robinson, Alexis Ruelle, and Makenna Sutton. Coaches were Dave and Trisha Armour, with Lisa Sutton the team manager.

In local secondary schools, spring is the season for girls’ soccer, and Nanaimo squads were particularly successful this year.

Congratulations first of all to the senior girls from Nanaimo District Secondary. The NDSS Islanders had a strong regular season, finished second at the AAA Islands, and then peaked at the right time to capture first place at the B.C. High School Championships in Kamloops.

Jonathan McKenzie, Avery Henderson, and Jade Dillabaugh provided coaching for the provincial champions Keira Brick, Sofie Bishop, Brianna Lamb, Ella Creed, Sofia Christie, Iyla Christie, Sumalee Martinflatt, Aila Limshue, Violet Johnston, Leia Wells, Maleah Culbertson, Addy Caverley, Quintin Barr, Naomi Racher, Abi Boulding, Helena Cusick, Chloe Farragher, team MVP Sophia Monpetit, tournament MVP Darby Moen, and tournament top goalkeeper Courtenay Leach.

The senior girls’ soccer team from Nanaimo Christian School qualified for Islands this year, which were held in Duncan. On the pitch for their school were players Aliyah Quist, Helanna Kamerman, Audrey Miller, Coby Campbell, Sophia Herring, Naomi George, Arya Lewis, Julia Tilsher, Ocean Baker, Alycia Kamerman, Mila Holmes, Cassie Scmidt, Avery Klan, Bella Jones, Alivia Hazelwood, and Renee Vanderkooi. Coach for the squad was John George.

Wellington Secondary had a pair of girls’ teams that had strong seasons and advanced to North Islands.

The senior Wildcats were coached by Dave and Tricia Armour, with players Carys Robertshaw, Norah Laporte, Tessa Donnelly, Chelsea Marley, Hayleigh Spoor Hovind, Makenna Sutton, Fiona Stewart, Izzy Stewart, Emmalee Armour, Berfin Bas, Avery Friesen, Heidi Friesen, Jada Ringdal, Sam Robinson, and Skylar Davidson.

The junior girls at Wellington were coached by Jason Bradley, and players were Maddy Vidal, Maya Turko, Gwen Aitken, Luz Balladares, Audry Barron-Swanson, Ellie Laporte, Annika Schulz, Grace Taiwo, Sophia Bodnaruk, Alexis Haggart, Annabel Holmberg, Sophie Marchant, Andrea Milos, Amelia Riley, Teegan Ware, and Gloria Taiwo.

Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.