The University of Northern British Columbia’s Women’s soccer team continues to bolster its lineup for the 2019-2020 season, officially announcing the commitment of Kenzie Chilcott to the Timberwolves.
The native of Fort St. John, B.C. points to the TWolves’ team-first approach as a major factor in her decision to commit to UNBC.
“Seeing how this team works as a community, and Neil not pushing the culture on anyone. It just happens naturally around him. I am really a community based person, and I love having a culture where everyone is equal.”
Standing five-foot-nine, Chilcott has found success in both soccer and long-distance running. A winner of the Emperor’s Challenge race in Tumbler Ridge, she says the decision to continue her path on the pitch came down to evaluating how the sport makes her feel when she competes.
“Soccer has always come naturally. I have done it the longest, and the idea of letting it go didn’t feel good. I know it is close to my heart. This is a big relief, and a big step, and now I am just excited for this to happen.”
A defender, Chilcott has kept her eye on the Timberwolves program, and sees similarities in the approach to the game, between UNBC coach Neil Sedgwick’s squad and her own Northern Strikers program.
“One of the things Neil talks about is being comfortable being uncomfortable. We have played like the Timberwolves, and I want to continue that. I love how Neil inspires us to grow and get better. That fits me really well.”
Sedgwick echoes the sentiment, and says Chilcott is the type of athlete that has the potential to make a substantial impact on the Timberwolves roster.
“Kenzie is a truly exciting prospect for this program. She has seemingly limitless energy and grit to her game. Her playing environment in Fort St. John has more than prepared her to take the next step.”
The 17-year-old visited UNBC’s Prince George campus for ID camps in 2017 and 2018, and got a chance to train with the current TWolves. She was able to follow the program’s success this fall, and says it was hard to not feel like a part of the team’s growing success.
“I love seeing the little things happen. When I saw Mara (McCleary) scored their first playoff goal, I just lit up. I felt like I was beside her cheering her on. That just pumps me up for next year.”
Sedgwick says his new defender possesses attributes the Timberwolves program values, both on and off the pitch.
“When recruiting, we look for two key qualities. A love of continued growth in the game, and the work capacity to support that desire. Kenzie checks both those boxes in a major way. When you look in her eyes during training, it’s easy to how much she cares. She is constantly searching for deeper understanding, and then she takes action.”
Kenzie Chilcott will graduate from North Peace Secondary in June, and plans to pursue Civil Engineering in her time at UNBC. She will join her new teammates this summer, ready to grow as a player. When asked for a scouting report on herself, the energetic Chilcott gave Timberwolves fans an idea of what they can expect from her over the next five seasons.
“I like to get into tackles. I am fast, so I have been the one to chase opposition down. I really have been trying to take more risks playing forward, because I play so defensively. That will be something to see, along with, hopefully, some goals.”
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