As June wrapped up, so did the Vancouver Island Wave U15 girls’ soccer team — with a wonderful win. For the first time in that team’s history, they both participated in the Provincial Premier Cup finals and, with a 1-0 final win over Surrey United, won it. In getting to the finals, the girls played the semi-finals against Mountain United and won with a 2-0 victory.
“The Provincial Premier Cup is to the highest Youth Provincial Cup in BC which services boys and girls from the under 13 age division to under 18,” states the bcsoccer.net website.
Sooke’s contribution to the Wave’s victory came through the talented efforts of Kiana Swift. Kiana is a talented and athletic Journey middle school student who loves sports. She played competitive football at nine, and was on the team that won their championship at aged 10. She was playing rugby until she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and under doctor’s direction, she moved away from rugby and got hooked on soccer.
“I’m a very competitive person,” she said. “My family is very competitive.” Kiana’s spirit of competition has been nurtured by both her parents, Siuti and Martin Swift, as well as by her siblings. She has two brothers and one sister.
Last year, Kiana was one of 15 players selected to the Provincial Teams Program, phase one. While she didn’t make the cut for this year’s provincial team, she has aspirations to return.
In the meanwhile, she is still working to correct the damage to her ACL through exercises and a maintenance regime.
The teacher’s strike has inconvenienced Kiana in her athletic pursuits, but the soccer program she is involved with is outside of the school program. Though the soccer season has ended with the Wave’s final big win, Kiana will be staying on her game through continued training four days a week as well as participating in the Highlander’s Academy Training camp. This is a scouting camp where players may be selected for a scholarship.
For the time being, this Grade 8 student is keeping her head in the game and her eyes on the ball. For practical reasons, she will be attending Mount Douglas next year (her soccer training is at UVic), and she will work hard to maintain her current straight-A academic record.