Another local standout soccer player will be continuing her post-secondary soccer journey at her hometown University.
Earlier today, UNBC Timberwolves Women’s Soccer head coach Neil Sedgwick announced the commitment of winger Madeleine (Maddy) Heal (Prince George, B.C.) for the 2025 Canada West season and beyond.
Heal, a soon-to-be graduate of Duchess Park Secondary School, joins the TWolves after coming up through the Prince George Youth Soccer Association under the watchful eyes of coaches Joanne Bray and Mark Chadwick. She also played at the high school level for coaches Carmen Murguly, Mani Ngabo and UNBC alumna Mikaela Cadorette.
“I really like the team atmosphere here. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the girls through my Timberwolves Academy Training and so I feel like it will be a seamless transition for me,” remarked Heal who helped Duchess Park capture the NCDSAA zone championship in each of the past three seasons. In 2024 she earned team MVP honours and the Top Midfielder Award during the zone championship tournament. “It’ll be surreal to play in front of my friends and family after growing up watching the Timberwolves. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to put that uniform on, and now I can be an inspiration to the younger girls who I’ve played with too – it’s going to be amazing.”
Her greatest strengths on the pitch include: beating opponent’s one-on-one, seeing the entire field, and picking the right moments for passes and dribbling.
“We have watched Maddy develop throughout her youth,” shared Timberwolves head coach Neil Sedgwick. “In the past year she has become a player who can have big impacts within her youth games. We know that she has the appetite to become a contributor within the program and that will drive her to move her forward.”
Heal’s familiarity with Sedgwick and the current roster were also big factors in her decision to commit to the Green and Gold. Heal added, “Neil is super knowledgeable. If I’m ever confused about a concept, he can clarify it easily. All the girls are a huge help with that too. They’re all super welcoming and it’s just a great environment to play in.”
Scholastically, Heal is a threat off the field too. She’s been a fixture on both the Duchess Park honour roll and Principal’s List. She’s planning to begin her UNBC tenure in General Studies. “It’s a great campus. It’s a bit on the smaller size which I think is a good thing,” reflected Heal. “But it’s really nice, and it’s close to home.”
When it comes to next season, Heal’s focus remains putting herself in the best position to challenge for playing time in her first season on board. She concluded, “Being able to live here and being able to train with the team full-time in the new year is a huge deal. I’m ready to immerse myself in training in order to become the best player I can be before the season starts.”