Kodiaks women’s soccer expands roster with experienced player

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s soccer team has added veteran player Brooke Barcelona to its roster.

Barcelona is a transfer from the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns where she was a member of the women’s soccer program for two years. During her time there, she was awarded the Volunteering In and Around the Community Award.

Originally from Kelowna, B.C., Barcelona grew up playing for the Thompson Okanagan Football Club as a centre back. She was also part of the winning team in the 2012 B.C. Summer Games.

This past summer, she played for the Lethbridge Football Club in the Alberta Major Soccer League (AMSL). This is where she got a chance to play beside, and get to know, five current Kodiaks players. The experience also influenced her decision to explore playing for the polytechnic.

As an experienced player, Kodiaks Head Coach Mike Racz says he hopes to see Barcelona continue her development as a player and leader within this team.

“She already brings a strong foundation from competing at the AMSL level and at the University of Lethbridge,” says Racz. “She has the tools to be an anchor in our back line and a role model for younger players coming into the program.”

He adds Barcelona is a disciplined athlete who is willing to do the hard work of keeping a back line organized and difficult to break down. Racz says her competitive nature is exactly the kind of defender he wants on the field.

As for Barcelona, there’s a lot about the upcoming season that she’s looking forward to. “Getting closer with the girls and creating new bonds – our team is already looking really good, so just continuing on that and also hosting championships will be really exciting,” she says.

Racz says he looks forward to Barcelona leading by example through her work ethic and presence on and off the field. “I expect Brooke to bring her leadership qualities and high standards to our group,” he says. “I believe she will play a big role in helping us maintain a strong team culture.”

Barcelona is a Bachelor of Nursing student. She says she is very thankful to Racz for giving her the opportunity to play for the Kodiaks.