Jamaica. Barbados. Calgary. Toronto. Prince George.
Dominic Parris has hopped across North America in his 21 years of life, and now finds himself committing to playing his next soccer chapter in the northern capital.
Today (Jan. 28), he formally signed with UNBC men’s soccer in hopes of lifting the Timberwolves to a positive 2021-22 Canada West campaign, should COVID-19 allow one in the fall.
Parris is no stranger to the U-SPORTS level of footy and considers his speed to be a reason for his lifelong success in the sport.
“I am a fast player. Jamaican roots, you know? I like to run,” the striker said in a team release.
“I am a pretty quick player, and very versatile, as well. I am pretty good on the ball. I have good vision, and I like to score goals. Hopefully I can bang a couple in and get a couple assists this season.”
Parris’ transfer to Prince George comes with experience from one of Canada’s top men’s soccer programs, the York University Lions in the Ontario conference, who most recently won the national bronze medal in 2019-20.
He was on the training roster for the Lions that year, but decided not to use his eligibility, according to UNBC Athletics.
However, with the Lions, Parris learned how to be more explosive on the pitch, and is aware of the expectations of a balancing school while competing at the highest level of collegiate soccer.
“I want to make my own mark here and, of course, help the boys achieve big things. Hopefully we can win the whole thing. You have to strive high, so that’s what I am looking forward to,” he said while noting that soccer is his life’s passion, and looks to channel that energy in hopes of earning a championship title with the green and gold.
“It’s something I have been doing since I was walking, basically. Something about it; I look forward to doing it every day. There are never any days where I wake up and feel like I don’t want to work out or play soccer. Everyone in my family plays. It’s great, and I look forward to it every day.”
Parris also found himself moving to northern B.C. by way of his father, who lives in Prince George, and became familiar with the T-Wolves.
He almost immediately made an impression with Head Coach Steve Simonson after deciding to transfer and train with the team.
“Dom brings strong athleticism and attacking prowess to the group and I think he will be a very positive addition,” explained Simonson in the same statement.
“He also fits the chemistry of the group really well. He is humble, hard-working, and will be a fantastic member of the Timberwolves family.”
Some of Parris’ footy accolades include:
- Under-16 Western Canadian Championship with Team Alberta
- Under-16 Club Nationals fourth-place finish with Foothills FC (Calgary)
- Under-14 Club Nationals silver medal with Foothills FC (Calgary)
If some of Parris’ new teammates decide to return to UNBC for the 2021-22 season, he would be one of four internationally-born players on the men’s soccer roster.
This includes Hussein Behery (Egypt), Kensho Ando (Japan) and Aboubacar Cisse (Mali).
COVID-19 cancelled 2020-21 out of respect for player, coach, staff, volunteer and fan safety, but allowed players to not use a year of their eligibility.
