HALIFAX, NS – Sierra Gallant, a 14-year-old goalkeeper from Nova Scotia, is moving to British Columbia at the end of January to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Regional EXCEL Centre (REX).
The program, in partnership with BC Soccer and Canada Soccer, brings the top women’s soccer prospects from across Canada to attend school, train, and play together daily in Burnaby, BC.
‘I’m so excited to take this huge step and for everything that it offers,’ said Sierra. ‘I’ll be working with some of the best coaches and play in some of the most competitive environments in Canada while learning the life skills and independence that I will need to continue down my path. Moving to the other side of the country without my family is a little scary, but I have a very strong support structure in place, so I am up for the challenge.’
Sierra originally moved to Nova Scotia with her family from Ontario in the winter of 2021. She was immediately identified by Whitecaps staff in Halifax whilst training with her Club team Suburban FC and invited into the NS REX program where she continued to excel. She attended a week of training in Vancouver with the Girls Elite REX program in October 2021 and impressed the staff enough to be offered a full-time spot.
‘From the moment we first saw Sierra play it was clear that she had the attributes to excel in the sport,’ said Soccer Nova Scotia Director of Performance Matt Holton. ‘Sierra is coachable, determined and humble. She shows up with the desire to work and improve every single day. We’re thrilled for Sierra to have the opportunity to test herself against the best Canada has to offer and look forward to following her progress from afar.’
Whitecaps FC have official partnerships with the provincial associations of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. The coast-to-coast network of Academy Centres identifies young talent and provides a gateway to professional soccer, scholarships, and the Canadian national teams, including a pathway to Vancouver with the Boys MLS Academy and the Girls Elite REX program.
‘It is great to be able to scout and work with players across the country through our network and provide opportunities like this,’ said Emma Humphries, WFC Director of Women’s Football Development. ‘We are very excited for Sierra to join us in Vancouver. Her bravery to follow her dreams by moving across the country is great to see. Her potential is evident and the work she has put in to get here will set the foundation to keep improving.’
For further information on the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy, and for information on the Girls Elite REX program, visit https://www.whitecapsfc.com/academy/girlseliterex/program