Isabel and Clara Monck have become standout examples of what the Foothills mandate aims to achieve: the development of excellent players and outstanding people. Their paths to success have been different, but both have been shaped by determination, sacrifice, and the support of a family that lives and breathes sport.
Behind every driven young athlete are the people who help pave the way. Tanya and Jesse have played an essential role, not only in supporting their daughters’ dreams but also in equipping them with the tools to succeed in all aspects of their lives. We spoke with proud mom Tanya about what Isabel and Clara have achieved so far in soccer, as well as their school and community activities. “It’s amazing to think they’ve both reached such impressive milestones,” she shared. “They’ve worked so hard, and to see where it’s taken them—it’s something special and a bit surreal.”
Born to Compete
Isabel and Clara were introduced to soccer around the age of three. They chose soccer because it was one of the few structured activities available to kids that young. For parents who valued sport and an active lifestyle, it was a natural fit. Even as toddlers, both sisters demonstrated a fearless determination to reach the ball first, often outpacing the boys. That competitive spirit hasn’t let up since.
Their soccer journeys began with the Calgary Blizzards. Isabel’s talent was identified early on by legendary coach Tommy Wheeldon Sr. Tommy Sr. challenged Isabel by moving her up two full age groups, a rare move that she met with maturity and skill. In 2016, when Tommy Sr. left the Blizzard, Tanya and Jesse sought a new environment that would continue to challenge and foster Isabel’s leadership potential. After extensive research, they found their answer in Foothills.
Isabel joined Foothills at age 11, and the family quickly saw her blossom in her new environment. Clara followed her sister to Foothills a year later, albeit with some hesitation. She’d been a key player with her previous club, playing up one age group. Clara’s first challenge when arriving at Foothills was to make the roster on a well-established and skilled team that had players who had been playing together for a number of years already. She’d have to start from the bottom. But what could have been a setback became a turning point.
“Foothills held her to a higher standard than she had experienced before,” Tanya explained. “She had to work incredibly hard to meet it, and she did and more. That perseverance and the willingness to learn from mistakes changed everything for her.”
Isabel: Tenacity, Leadership, and the Drive to Excel
Isabel is now playing NCAA Division I soccer at Arizona State University after an impressive stint at the University of Memphis where she was a team captain. She’s a former national champion with Foothills and has worn the maple leaf for Canada at the U17 level, where she earned 11 caps, including playing in the U17 World Cup, and served as Vice Captain. Never one to sit idle, she is playing for the Foothills WFC League1 Alberta team during her summer break.
What sets Isabel apart isn’t just talent, it’s her mindset. “She’s extremely competitive,” Tanya said. “Her biggest fear is being average. That’s what drives her to keep exceeding her personal benchmarks.”
Beyond the pitch, Isabel is studying business with a major in marketing, volunteers as a coach, and brings the same intensity to activities such as cooking, hiking, tennis, and pickleball. Her goal is to play professionally after graduation next spring. “She has time,” Tanya said. “We’ve encouraged her to finish school and take in all the life lessons that come with being a student athlete. But she’s ready, and when the right opportunity comes, she’ll be more than prepared.”
Clara’s Star is Rising
While Isabel was on the radar early, Clara’s journey has unfolded more recently, but with tremendous momentum. In the last 12-18 months, Clara has been recruited by Kent State University, NCAA Division 1, been named to Team Alberta for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, and served as a standby player twice for the U17 national team.
Most recently, she has signed a development permit with the Calgary Wild, training regularly with the squad, and traveling with them on their pre-season tour to Denver, where she faced top NCAA competition in exhibition games. On June 6 she made her professional debut in the Wild’s game against the Halifax Tides in front of a home town crowd.
“Clara’s path has been different from Isabel’s but just as powerful,” said Tanya. “She had to work hard to catch up technically, and she did it with grit and humility. Joining an elite team at Foothills forced her to rise or be left behind. She chose to rise to the challenge.”
Clara, like her sister, brings more than athleticism to the table. She’s creative and introspective, finding peace in reading, painting, and hiking. She’s also a strong leader, captaining her 2008 team and giving back through the TELUS She CAN Coach program, where she recently completed her Learn to Train module and coached Grassroots players.
Sisters, Role Models, and Leaders
Isabel and Clara’s bond as sisters is built on competition and care. “They’re very competitive, even at board games,” Tanya laughed. “But they have each other’s backs. Isabel’s success has motivated Clara, and Clara’s progress has inspired Isabel in return.”
Both girls have become role models at Foothills, not only through their achievements but also in how they support others. “They lift and fuel each other and they do the same for their teammates,” Tanya said. “They don’t rely on external validation. We’ve always encouraged them to learn from failure, embrace feedback, and keep working.”
The Monck family’s journey has involved countless sacrifices, including giving up weekends, vacations, and many late nights. But Tanya wouldn’t trade it. “To see them excel as athletes has been incredible, but Jesse and I are most proud of the young adults they have evolved to become. The life lessons from sport have been their biggest preparation for the real world.”
Influencers and Impact
Many coaches and mentors have left a mark on the girls’ lives. For Isabel, it started with Tommy Wheeldon Sr., and later coaches like Foothills Academy Director Lee (Tucks) Tucker helped guide her. Clara found a pivotal influence in Nick Zuniga a couple of years ago, as he saw something in her, gave her opportunities to play with his 2006 team, and believed in her. Foothills Foundation Manager, Luis Tinoco was key in developing Clara as a leader early on. Erin Tarraf, Clara’s first Foothills coach, also set high expectations that helped build her resilience and work ethic.
Tanya believes Foothills has taken significant strides in supporting girls and women in soccer. Programs like TELUS She CAN Coach are opening doors that were previously unavailable. She applauds the leadership of coaches like Foothills TD Greg de Carnys and Tucks, who encourage girls to think critically, ask questions, and contribute ideas. “They teach the girls that their opinions matter,” she said. “That their voices are important. That changes everything.”
Teammates Have Played A Powerful Part in the Sisters’ Journey
From their early days in soccer to their current accomplishments, Isabel and Clara have trained and competed alongside some of the best. Those teammates (past and present) have pushed them, challenged them, and brought out the best in them. It’s that “iron sharpens iron” mentality that has helped shape Clara and Isabel into the players they are today. Behind every standout performance is a group of teammates who have helped raise the standard.
Looking To the Future
As Isabel prepares for her final NCAA season and Clara gears up for college soccer and new professional opportunities, Tanya sees a bright and full future for both soccer and life beyond it.
When asked what she hopes people remember about her daughters years from now, Tanya’s answer is simple but powerful:
“Yes, I hope their accomplishments are remembered. But more than that, I hope people see them as phenomenal human beings, great teammates, strong leaders, and inspiring examples of what it means to grow through the game. Nothing is ever guaranteed in sport, and every opportunity will have to be earned. But no matter where soccer takes them, my husband and I will always be proud—not just of what they achieve, but of who they continue to become.”
Related Posts
Indoor Season Team Managers Meeting Was Held Nov 2, 2025
Team Managers Came Together at Vivo Cura to Strengthen Player Support On November 2, Foothills team managers gathered at Vivo Cura Health for an evening focused on what makes our club experience special: caring for players on and off the pitch and supporting the people who hold our teams together.
Foothills Welcomes Darren Bowman as New Development Phase Manager
Welcome, Darren! Calgary Foothills Soccer Club is delighted to welcome Darren Bowman as our new Development Phase Manager (U13–U17). Darren joins Foothills with more than 20 years of coaching and technical leadership experience across elite football environments in Europe and Asia. Most notably, he spent 9 years with Manchester City FC, where he served
Welcome Our Newest Community Partner: McKenzie Towne!
Welcome, McKenzie Towne! Foothills is proud to announce that McKenzie Towne Community Association (MTCA) has officially joined our roster of community partners. With this addition, we now have an even stronger network of Calgary communities working together to provide players with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive through soccer. For decades,