 January 13, 2006 -- Sylvia Forbes, a former member of the National Training Centre Ontario (NTCO) and National Women's Team Programs is attending university south of the border on a full athletic scholarship.
She joins former teammates Amanda Cicchini and Deana Everrett of Oakville and Robin Rushton of Agincourt who received soccer scholarships to West Virginia University in September 2005.
"We were very excited about Sylvia joining our program and having had the opportunity of working with her for the past five months," says Robert Klatte, Indiana's Purdue University 'Boilermakers' Women's Soccer Head Coach.
"We feel certain that she will prove to be a dominating fixture on the collegiate soccer scene. She strikes a ball with amazing force, is always a threat with her aerial capabilities and is strong enough to hold up the ball versus the most physical of defenders."
Sylvia played for Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club to age 14 and then the Oshawa Kicks 86's under John Djokoto for three seasons, two as Ontario Cup finalists.
She played for Team Ontario U-14 Girls and won the U-15 Nationals with Drew Murray coaching. She joined the NTCO program in 2003 where she was coached by Ed McBride, Jens Kramer and Bryan Rosenfeld.
"It has been my honour to have had the opportunity to coach Sylvia at the National level," says Rosenfeld. "She is a great representative and role model for all the players in our Provincial and National programs.
"The hard work and focus that these players have put toward club, province and country has created a tremendous academic opportunity as well as a continuation of their soccer careers.
"I believe this young lady will flourish in all her soccer and life endeavours because of the commitment and passion she has shown towards everything she does.
"Purdue has certainly bolstered its roster by acquiring this talented player and I know she will contribute both on and off the field to win an NCAA Division I title for Purdue."
With more American coaches discovering that Canada -- particularly Ontario with its high performance Coach and Player Development Programs -- is a hot-bed of soccer talent, Sylvia joins a growing sorority of Canadian female athletes who are making waves south of the border, including BC's Christine Sinclair (University of Portland), who, among other honours, received the NCAA Today's Top VIII Award in 2005.
The Ontario Soccer Association wishes Sylvia the best of success in her academic and athletic pursuits at Purdue! |
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