When the UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer team takes to the field in September they'll have a full house of Prince George talent on the roster.
Five players with the Prince George Youth Soccer Association under-18 Kodiaks select team have committed to the Canada West bound T-wolves for the 2012-13 season. Brett Bobier, Cheona Edzerza, Robby Panaich, Nikola Knezevic and goalkeeper Jonathan Richards have all signed on to play for UNBC men's coach Alan Alderson.
"All five of them will be on our roster and they've been told their job is to try and make their roster spot as good as possible and that's really up to them," said Alderson, who held a tryout for the players last Monday and Wednesday. "They're going to be with us no matter what and so they will have to fight and claw to get on the 18-man travelling roster and then try and fight for a starting spot as well."
Alderson said having five players who passed through PGYSA and went to high school in Prince George should motivate younger players who will see they can play CIS and Canada West soccer in their hometown.
"They are soccer junkies and they can't wait," said Alderson about his five recruits. "They're going to get the baptism by fire as we jump into Canada West but I'm excited that there are five of them coming right out of that age group. Hopefully it gives the rest of the kids in the youth soccer association the idea that if they work hard and go after it they have a chance of playing for UNBC.
"I want more and more kids to get excited about that because the more excited they are the more they'll train, the better they'll get and the more competitive we'll be as the years go by," he added.
Richards said choosing to attend UNBC after graduating from Prince George secondary school in May was an easy decision and being able to play soccer just makes it better.
"I chose UNBC because it is close to home and I can still live with my parents," said the 18 year old. "I know what I want to do, I'm going into political science so I'll be there for the four years."
Richards said he's practiced with the T-wolves' team quite a bit in the past two years so the learning curve from high school to university won't be too steep despite the stiffer Canada West competition.
"It'll be an experience for me," said Richards. "I know it's going to be challenging."
