BC Soccer recently announced the 36 players (18 Men | 18 Women) that will be representing our province at the Canada Summer Games this August in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Among those selected were six of our very own 2008-born Vancouver Island Wave players.
Representing the 2008 Girls:
- Callie Turpin
- Katharina Cronkhite
"We are very proud of this group of young women. In a short time, they’ve shown a deep commitment to building a strong team culture, rooted in genuine connection and mutual support — it’s been truly inspiring to witness. As we head into the Canada Summer Games, we do so with immense pride in representing British Columbia, and with a shared sense of purpose that I believe will guide us both on and off the field." – Niko Marcina, Head Coach, Team BC Women’s Soccer
Representing the 2008 Boys:
- Will Edgson
- Veniamin (Venny) Chernyshev
- Joseph Mackenzie-Elrick
- Mattias Vales
"We are incredibly proud of this group of players selected to represent our great province of British Columbia at the upcoming Canada Summer Games. This event, held only once every few years, offers a rare and exciting opportunity for our players to compete against the best talent from across the country. Our staff is looking forward to working closely with this team as we prepare for the challenge ahead in August." - Luca Dalla Pace, Head Coach, Team BC Men’s Soccer
With both teams coming off successful seasons and Provincial Premier Cup runs that saw the girls advance all the way to the semi-finals and the boys winning the tournament, these players are looking to build on that momentum as they move to an even bigger stage.
In a recent interview with Victoria News, Callie Turpin shared her excitement: “It’s an honour to be picked to represent B.C.,” she said. “I wouldn’t have made it here without the support of my coaches and teammates.”
These selections are first and foremost a major personal achievement for these young athletes, but they also highlight the strength of the Wave program and the Pacific FC development pathway that continues to empower young players to compete at the highest level in Canada.
The Canada Summer Games will run from August 9-25, with both squads preparing through a slate of friendlies starting July 2. Opponents in the lead-up include Alberta’s Canada Games teams and select League 1 BC sides. The Men’s team has been placed in Group B, scheduled to face Saskatchewan (August 11) and Ontario (August 12). The Women’s team (also in Group B) will face Northwest Territories (August 20) and Quebec (August 21) in their group stage.
Congratulations to all six players, their friends and families, plus the coaches and everyone else involved. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
Learn more about Vancouver Island Wave and the Pacific FC Development Pathway HERE!