NEWS RELEASE
PREMIER SOCCER INSTITUTE
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Emma Allison, Hannah Sedore, Ainsleigh Sedore, Mackenna King, Madeline Johnson and Ben McEwen are among the 11 participants who joined the Premier Soccer Institute (PSI) training program three years ago with the dream of playing soccer at the post-secondary level.
“PSI helped me build my passion for the game,” said 18-year-old Hannah Sedore, who is heading to the University of Waterloo for health sciences. She couldn’t imagine how she’d handle university without soccer – and it’s a plus she and her twin sister both got a spot on the team.
“Soccer is a part of my life that takes stress away,” she said.
Long-time former Barrie Soccer Club technical director Ray Wright started the program in 2014 and brought some of the area’s best-respected coaches to his team. McEwen, 18, enjoys the PSI coaching.
“I like Ray’s style. He’s calm with the ball and likes to keep it. He’s demanding too,” said McEwen, who is heading to Trent University in September to study kinesiology.
PSI coaches have not only assessed each player, but inspired each one to reach their peak.
“The players have worked hard to improve their technical ability, game and position understanding,” Wright said of the players who have been offered roster spots at their chosen schools.
The soccer stars were quick to say what a difference the PSI coaches have made.
“Ever since I was little, (coach) Ray has been the one who’s taught me so many things. He’s made such a difference in my playing years with Barrie as a rep player,” said Mackenna, who will be 18 in August before she heads to Cape Breton University.
That’s high praise coming from Mackenna who hopes to be a coach one day, after she completes her physical activity leadership studies.
“We believe that hard work pays off – and these young athletes prove it and inspire our younger players, just as these athletes themselves were inspired by those who have earned a spot on their chosen school’s roster,” added Wright.
He recalled one of last year’s athletic scholars. Ryan Marchan was just named captain of his team as he enters his second year at Algoma University.
Ainsleigh Sedore added Wright makes the game easy to understand and he and his team inspire each player to dream and to work hard.
“When the university coaches started responding and providing info and showing interest in me, it was really rewarding,” said Ainsleigh Sedore.
Students from Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia and Erin starred on the field at American and Canadian showcase events and university recruitment camps this winter and spring.
“It is inspiring for our coaches to see first-hand how each player grows not just in his or her technical knowledge and foot skills, but also in his or her passion for the game and as a person who respects teamwork,” said Wright.
Allison is going to Carleton University and Johnson to Cape Breton University.
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