In a time when we see 50% of girls leaving sport by age 14, Foothills Ravens are a tremendous success story.

The Ravens’ seven-year (14 seasons spring/winter) story began in 2017. Originally, we were the U9 Hearts, then the U11 Sizzlers before settling on the Ravens in our U11 indoor season.

The journey at Foothills started as our players aged out of community grassroots soccer. Before coaching them at Foothills, I had the privilege of guiding the girls through their earliest exposure to the game at the community level.

This close-knit group of amazing young women has experienced significant growth and development in those seven years. The U11 Indoor season was a turning point, and the team began a trajectory of increasing wins per season to the point where, in 2023, the team was promoted up to Tier 3.

The Ravens have represented CMSA at four of the last five provincial competitions, gaining a silver medal at the 2022 Outdoor Provincials, and we have high expectations for the 2024 outdoor season!

Beyond the incredible on-field success I am most proud of the fact that nearly all the players who started with the team in 2019 are still here today. In fact, we have 8 players who were part of the original 2017 Hearts team! We have seen 4 of those players move up to the U15 Foothills Tier 1 team. In all, just 4 players have moved on from Foothills since 2019, including our original goalkeeper who unfortunately had to step away from soccer due to a severe concussion she suffered while playing in the round-robin at the 2022 Outdoor Provincials. Despite losing a key teammate (and spurred on to make their fallen comrade proud), the team achieved a silver medal – losing 1-0 on a penalty kick given in the 75th minute.

In a time when we see 50% of girls leaving sport by age 14, the Ravens are a tremendous success story; it is what makes the Ravens a very special team. We have 18 girls who are developing strong friendships, building lifelong skills, and attending training and games, excited and ready to learn and compete. I believe that our successful culture that transcends our on-field performance has been fostered by consistent leadership and support from the adults surrounding this team.

I have two great assistant coaches – Jayne Jorundson, who began coaching with the team in 2020, and Seun Togunbo, who joined us in 2021. Jayne, Seun and I each bring a slightly different skill set which allows us to span the breadth of our player’s needs and development. Kristen Hunt has been an integral part of the team’s leadership as our manager. Lastly, we have a wonderful group of parents who have supported both the players and the coaches over the course of time. This has certainly been a team effort, and I am grateful to be a part of it.

Ravens Highlights

• Lifelong friendships
• 14 of 18 Ravens have been apart of the team since 2020 and 8 since 2016
• 2022 Provincial Silver Medal
• 2022 CMSA Champions
• Finished no lower than 3rd in any season (Outdoor or Indoor) since Spring 2021
• 4 Provincial Competitions (2024 Indoor, 2023 Indoor, 2022 Indoor, 2022 Outdoor)

While we cannot predict the future, my hope is that the team continues until these girls age out at U19, and at present, there is no reason why they won’t. I must say, though, it is a little surreal to have these girls starting to drive themselves to practice—time flies when you’re having fun!