News Archives: Get to know GPRC Wolves Women's Soccer coaching staff
Friday, July 10th, 2020
GPRC Wolves Women's Soccer Assistant Coach, Robin Watson and athlete, Madi Gillespie.
We caught up with our GPRC Wolves Women’s Soccer Assistant Coaches, Brigitte Benning, Robin Watson and Aaron Ruptash along with Manager, Liana Hall to learn some of their favourite memories, advice to athletes and why they love to coach.
What is your earliest soccer memory?
Benning: Kicking the ball with my dad in the field.
Watson: Playing Junior High soccer for Sangudo High school. I played centre midfield and right wing representing the county of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. The team was a good team. Later, I played Premier Men’s League. We had a striker by the name of Paul Kostiuk who was a tremendous header of the ball. I used to cross the ball from the right wing for Paul to score. We played against the British Army team in Medicine Hat, Alberta. They were unbeaten for six years, but we beat them 5-0 and I scored a hat trick – great memories that I have never forgotten. I played various sports at a good level. I played Men’s Premier League soccer and also represented Lethbridge College for one year. I also played Premier Men’s Team Basketball for three years before I relocated to Grande Prairie some 35 years ago. We had a great Basketball team in Grande Prairie winning 14 Alberta Premier Championships. I played with some great players – Bill Shaw, Leigh Goldie, Bruce Cassidy and Blaine Haynes. They were great times.
Ruptash: Playing as a child in the recreational league at Smith field, sponsored by Rotary in the 1970s.
Hall: Volunteer Coaching my daughter’s first soccer experience at age 6, twenty some years ago.
Robin, tell us how you were involved in helping start the Soccer Program at GPRC?
Watson: I refereed Basketball at all levels throughout Alberta with former GPRC Athletic Director Francois Fournier. I refereed Basketball in the ACAC for 15 years. I knew Leigh Goldie from playing Basketball with him and I was able to convince Leigh, Francois Fournier and Ron Thomson that soccer should be played at the College to tap into the local talent. The first season at GPRC, I coached Women’s Soccer and Steve Davies coached the Men’s team. Chris Spaidal had just finished playing and helped me as an assistant coach for a few years before he eventually took over as head coach.
What are your favourite college soccer memories?
Benning: It was about 8 years ago. The GPRC Women’s and Men’s team had a huge rivalry with NAIT. The season had been a battle, the weather was miserable, and I ended up getting a black eye in the game. Both the Women’s and Men’s team fought to the end and we each came out with a win. It was such a huge victory. That was a fun bus ride home.
Watson: My favourite memory was winning the ACAC Women’s Soccer Provincials versus NAIT in 2017. We won on a penalty shootout. I will always remember hugging Head Coach, Chris Morgan and Manager, Liana Hall when the whistle blew. Liana has been a great manager to GPRC Soccer. It was a wonderful achievement to see young girls that were close friends that I had coached from U6, through their teenage years to win the championship. Another good memory was the day I signed Katie Spencer and Julie Martin at a tournament in Kelowna, British Columbia. I had travelled to watch the tournament and approached the girls after the game to convince them to commit to GPRC. I spoke with the girls and their parents, drew up a form and they signed agreeing to commit. They both turned out to be excellent players for the program.
Ruptash: GPRC Women’s Soccer securing their first opportunity to play at Nationals.
Hall: Being able to watch my daughter play at the College for three years, and to watch her and her teammates be formidable opponents which no team in the ACAC could take for granted. Winning the second spot to get the chance to represent the ACAC at Nationals for the first time in Montreal in 2016. Winning the provincial title in 2017, finally beating NAIT!
Brigitte and Aaron, have you found it easy transitioning from playing to coaching?
Benning: Not at all! It was extremely eye opening. I’m more of a heart player than a head player and stepping off the pitch and standing on the side-line made me appreciate all the little technical components that go into getting the ball in the net consistently. Watching Head Coach, Chris Morgan also made me realize how much coaches put into a team behind the scenes – he never takes a break!
Ruptash: Yes, my experiences playing soccer as an adult gave me a real love for the game. I coached my kids from when they were five years old in house leagues, to coaching competitive soccer through their teen years and finally to assistant coaching at the college level with GPRC.
Robin, tell us about the appointment of Head Coach, Chris Morgan?
Watson: I attended the interview for the new coach after former Head Coach, Chris Spaidal had left to relocate to Edmonton. We did not know what to expect from this crazy Irishman. After five minutes of listening to Chris at the interview, I was excited and knew he was the coach to lead us forward. He produced a document of his vision and system of play that was impressive. I knew we had chosen not only a good coach but a wonderful individual. Chris asked me to assist him coach and I was happy to be help him; these have been some of the best years of my life!
What do you enjoy most about coaching at GPRC?
Benning: I’m happy to contribute in some small way and to give back to a program that had such a positive experience in my life. I love watching the players grow as people.
Watson: I enjoy watching student athletes grow as good people within the learning environment the GPRC Soccer Program adheres to. I really enjoyed watching my two daughters, Taylor and Alexi represent the Women’s Soccer team at the College. Those were proud times for sure.
Ruptash: Being able to make players understand the game and themselves, but especially making them smile.
Hall: I have always had a huge passion for being involved in sport. I really enjoy being part of the team at GPRC. I really wanted to help make our soccer program the envy of the ACAC. Being involved in the development of a high-level soccer program is very rewarding. Watching the athletes come through our program evolve into not just amazing soccer players but helping us to build this amazing soccer community that makes a difference in people’s lives is incredible.
What advice do you have for student athletes at GPRC?
Benning: Be fully in it. The years you spend playing your favourite sport with your friends in college are irreplaceable. It’s meant to be a good time.
Watson: Put your academics first. Being an athlete will take care of itself.
Ruptash: Enjoy every moment, these are great years and great experiences you will remember for your entire life.
Hall: Give 100% to your whole experience at GPRC, your college years go by very fast. Organizing your time will be essential to your success. As a student athlete, if you manage your time well, you will get the most out of your experience and reduce the stress of a very full schedule.
Learn more about the GPRC Wolves Women’s Soccer team here.
Find the GPRC Wolves on social media here.
