Local Journalism Initiative
Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, EnergeticCity
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A university’s themed sporting camps will take a road trip throughout July and August, with its first stop being Fort St. John.
Prince George’s University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) will host camps throughout the remainder of summer in northern B.C. communities, including on July 14th and 15th at North Peace Secondary School.
Other stops on the tour include Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace and two First Nations communities: Gitlaxt’aamix, a Nisga’a community north of Terrace, and Yekooche First Nation northwest of Fort St. James.
According to UNBC’s athletics and events coordinator Dorion Van Caeseele, the Fort St. John camp is unique.
“We wanted to make it a bit more, see how many [towns] we could get, and then kind of just keep building it year [after] year.”
Dorion Van Caeseele, UNBC’s Athletics and Events Coordinator
While other camps showcase basketball, the Fort St. John camp is soccer-exclusive. She added that plans for the camp were finalized just a week ago.
She said discussions within the athletic department suggested coaches wanted to “spread the love” to communities with campuses in the UNBC system, including Fort St. John.
“Coaches sometimes go out to communities such as Burns Lake,” said Van Caeseele. “We wanted to make it a bit more, see how many [towns] we could get, and then kind of just keep building it year [after] year.”
The camps are slated for youth ranging from ages seven to eight all the way through to high school and will be overseen by Claire Turner.
Turner is from Fort St. John, and she played five seasons with the Timberwolves. She called the program run by Neil Sedgwick an “amazing experience.”
“I loved the dynamic of my soccer team,” said Turner, who studied biomedical science and will be attending the University of British Columbia (UBC) medical school in August.
“Our coaching staff is super knowledgeable. That was something I was looking for when I took that next step in the game.”
“Even if there are three or five students or players who come out, that’s a success for me. Growing up, I always enjoyed having access to soccer during the summer, especially when there’s no season in-play.”
Claire Turner
Turner adds she has experience coaching at several levels, including with the Epic Timberwolves FC Academy, which is affiliated with the school and girls’ teams in Fort St. John, alongside her father.
Although the announcement of the camp came with just a week and a half’s notice, Turner says she is looking forward to it.
“To be honest, no real expectation[s],” said Turner. “Even if there are three or five students or players who come out, that’s a success for me. Growing up, I always enjoyed having access to soccer during the summer, especially when there’s no season in-play.”
The camp takes place at North Peace Secondary School at 9304 86th Street in Fort St. John.
More details about the UNBC Timberwolves soccer program are available on its website. To register, visit the Showpass website.
