If you pick a sport written on a folded piece of paper out of a bowl, there’s a good chance Anna deWynter has competed in it.
She believes she can put that diverse athleticism to work on the pitch for UNBC as she’s formally committed to the women’s soccer team for the 2021-22 campaign.
“I grew up playing all sorts of sports, but soccer was my number one. A big passion of mine,” the 17-year-old explained in a team release today (Feb. 5) on the university promotion.
“I decided to take it seriously three or four years ago, and here I am now. [...] Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe I will be playing at the U SPORTS level this time next year. It is exciting, but it makes me nervous that I will be in a completely different environment with completely different people. But, I know good things will come.”
Standing at five-foot-10, the defender from Kelowna has dipped her competitive feet in several different fields of play where she found some success and experience.
This includes soccer, long-distance running, downhill skiing with the Big White Ski Club, and was even a javelin thrower, winning a bronze in Grade Eight at the 2017 BC High School Track and Field Championships.
Anna deWynter (left) seen here as a member of the Big White Ski Cub, with whom she competed in downhill skiing before committing to soccer and the UNBC Timberwolves. By Big White Ski ClubT-Wolves Head Coach Neil Sedgwick is looking forward to watching deWynter in green and gold as she develops all of her skills for the program’s benefit.
“I have seen her video, we have spoken a number of times, she has sent me video on a regular basis of the progress that she is making,” he said of deWynter, who also served as captain of the Kelowna Secondary soccer team, where she’ll graduate in June.
“Anna will bring an incredible work ethic and toughness to the environment, and I am really encouraged by her abilities already.”
On the field, deWynter considers herself to be physically fit, especially after playing in a variety of sports.
With that experience, which also includes a stint with UBC-Okanagan's Jr. Heat soccer club, she hopes to develop a high IQ when the transition to Canada West eventually comes.
“Everyone is going to be faster, bigger, and stronger, and so much older. It is going to force me to adapt and get better, and improve even faster.”
Anna deWynter (back row, 3rd from right) seen here with the UBC-Okanagan Jr. Heat soccer club. She committed to the UNBC Timberwolves on Feb. 5, 2021. By Facebook/Anna deWynterdeWynter will travel to Prince George in August for training camp and ahead of UNBC’s fall semester, when she’ll begin her education in the health sciences program.
She’s the third player to commit to the Lady Timberwolves for 2021-22, thus far, in addition to Prince George product Sohanna Bains and Celeste Kirkness.
COVID-19 cancelled 2020-21 for UNBC sports out of respect for player, coach, staff, volunteer and fan safety, but allowed players to not use a year of their eligibility.
