News Archives: New Recruits for Women's Soccer
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
GPRC Wolves Men and Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Chris Morgan has been busy over the last couple of months recruiting and welcoming new wolves to the wolf pack.
We are pleased to announce new additions to the Wolves Women’s Soccer program. A talented group of athletes, hailing from all over the Peace Region have committed to joining the pack for the 2019-20 season, and Head Coach Morgan is excited for the season ahead.
We’re excited to introduce…
Hailing from Surrey, B.C., GPRC Wolves are pleased to welcome Mikaela Balla to the program. Mikaela is bringing a great amount of skill to the squad from her achievements of being a part of the 2016 B.C. Summer Games Soccer team, achieving Champion-status at the 2015-16 Provincial B-Cup and 2018-19 GVUSS FC Metro Tournament. Mikaela has taken home the Senior Girls Soccer – Golden Boot Award and was named the High School Athlete of the Year in 2016-17.
Mikaela is looking forward to joining the Wolves, having awesome teammates and continuing to improve her soccer skills in a competitive environment. She is excited to experience College life and start her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at GPRC. “I chose GPRC because I met coach Chris Morgan at an ID Camp and got such a positive vibe from the way he coached. I realized GPRC was somehow going to be my future after that camp,” said Mikaela. “On a trip to Grande Prairie, I got to see how welcoming and nice everyone was including some of the girls from the team. Their experiences and personalities, as well as having Coach Morgan as my coach has shown me that GPRC is the College for me.”
Head Coach Morgan is looking forward to having Mikaela out on the pitch in the upcoming season. “Mikaela impressed me at an ID Camp with her enthusiasm, work ethic, and skill level. She brings lots of pace and has an incredible shot. She is a dynamic player who will suit our style of soccer. I am looking forward to welcoming her to the squad.”
Welcome to the pack, Mikaela.
Grande Prairie local, Brooke Gagnon has been added to the roster. Brooke who has experienced Head Coach Morgan’s coaching at the Academy also has competed at the 2017 Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup, the Tier 1 level of the EIYSA (Edmonton Interdistrict Youth Soccer Association) and won gold with her team at the Jasper Bowl tournament.
Brooke is excited to join the wolf pack and start her Bachelor of Science degree at GPRC. She is looking forward to being challenged at the ACAC level and the opportunity to connect and play with everyone on the team while being coached by Morgan.
Head Coach Morgan is looking forward to having Brooke out on the pitch in the upcoming season. “Brooke is a fantastic defender who reads danger well and can play from the back. I look forward to her joining the program.”
Welcome to the pack, Brooke.
Emma Close, joining the Wolves roster from Fort St. John, B.C. Emma is bringing a ton of experience to the Wolves with her portfolio including competing at the 2016 BC Summer Games, bringing home gold at the 2016 U16 Tier 3 Indoor Provincials and qualifying twice (2017 & 2018 seasons) at the BC AAA High-School Provincials.
Emma is looking forward to joining the Wolves and starting her Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree at GPRC. “I am thankful GPRC is close to home, with the program I am interested in and has a great soccer program.”
In catching up with Head Coach Chris Morgan, he said he was delighted to have Emma joining the roster and used the following quote to sum up Emma’s playing abilities.
“A magician with two wands… once at the end of each foot,” continuing on to say, “She is a very skilled player with a great attitude on the pitch.”
Welcome to the pack, Emma.
Local athlete, Raina Kickbush is looking forward to representing GPRC‘s colours next season and playing for her home-town while working towards her Bachelor of Psychology.
A talented player hailing from Grande Prairie, Raina has achieved multiple medals in her soccer careers including Silver at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games with Team Alberta and Bronze at the 2016 u16 Tier 2 Provincials. Most recently, Raina has been playing with the Sherwood Park Phoenix Soccer Association, where she and her team brought home Gold at the 2017 U17 Tier 2 Provincials; Gold at the 2018 U17 Tier 2 Provincials and coming in 5th place at the 2018 U17 Nationals.
Head Coach, Chris Morgan is pleased that Raina is joining the squad. “Raina is a fantastic defender who will be an asset to the program. She excels in 1-v-1 scenarios, shows good awareness and possesses a good pace with the ball. I am looking forward to her joining the Wolves.”
Welcome to the pack, Raina.
Joining the Wolves from YEG, McKenna McKeaveney is looking forward to being a part of a close-knit squad.
“I chose GPRC because of the athletic opportunities and for the size of the campus. It is smaller than others which excites me to be apart of a small family so to speak where I can build my skills as a player, as well as build a better understanding for the game as part of a strong team.”
McKenna has competed in Provincial Championships every year with her team, MW Selects from 2015-2018 and was a part of the winning Austin O’Brien High School team at the 2018 Metro Athletics High School Championships.
According to Head Coach Chris Morgan, McKenna has great skills and he is delighted she has chosen to continue her soccer career with the Wolves.
Welcome to the pack, McKenna.
Learn more about your GPRC Wolves here and how you can continue to help support their athletic and academic goals here.
