Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Manitoba Soccer Association (MSA) is pleased to announce Samantha
Powell, a fourteen-year-old soccer player from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has accepted an invitation to join the
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, which is also an official Canada Soccer National
Development Centre (NDC). This is a full time, fully funded player development program for females in
British Columbia. The National Development Centre in BC is one of three across Canada and is directly
linked to the Women’s Youth National Teams. Sam arrived in Vancouver this month.

Sam Powell grew up in the Manitoba soccer system, playing with AK Soccer Academy, 1v1 Futbol Dreams, FC Northwest, Winnipeg South End United and the Manitoba Soccer Regional Excel Centre.
The full-time National Development Centre is comprised of approximately 30 of the top female players from across Western Canada and provides them with the opportunity to achieve their potential as elite soccer players. It also provides a direct pathway to university, professional, and national team environments.
Chris Lourenco, MSA Technical Lead, commented, “We are extremely proud of Sam. From early on, she has shown her potential in each session during her short time with the REX program. We would like to thank all the organizations and people in her life who have supported her development and helped her take the next step in her journey.”

Héctor Vergara, MSA Executive Director, commented, “We are extremely pleased for Sam as her dedication, effort, commitment, discipline, and hard work have provided her this wonderful opportunity. We also appreciate the support of all her coaches at the club and provincial levels that have pushed her to be her best. We wish her much success as she continues her pathway.” For more information please contact the Manitoba Soccer Association at (204) 594-5809 or visit the website at www.manitobasoccer.ca