Soccer Strength Kelowna is proud to work with the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite Super REX program

As part of the Canada Soccer Pathway, Whitecaps FC has partnered with BC Soccer and Canada Soccer to launch the first Women's Regional EXCEL Centre (REX) in Western Canada. Today, the program is a Super REX Centre, welcoming top women's soccer prospects from across Canada to attend school, train, and play together daily in Burnaby, BC.
The program kicked off in January 2015 and is led by Whitecaps FC Girls Elite staff with support from BC Soccer. The head coach of the program is Chris Sargeant.

Soccer Strength Kelowna has been proud to train the following members of Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite Super REX program.

Andrea Kraetzer
Arizona State University Sun Devils Women's Soccer
Ava Wright
Arizona State University Sun Devils Women's Soccer
Shae Taylor
University of Memphis Tigers Women's Soccer

What have you enjoyed the most about your time training with Coach Harry?

“No matter what time it was, 6:30 in the morning, or in the afternoon, every time I came to train with Coach Harry, I was always pushed to be better than I was the day before." 

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“I really enjoyed training in the gym with Coach Harry, and getting stronger, alongside my teammates & a great coach who pushed me to get better every training session.” 

-Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“When I first came to train with coach Harry, I loved how welcoming he was, his spirit, and friendliness made me more comfortable. As the gym was one of the things I really needed to work on, and it has showed on & off the pitch”

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Elite REX Program - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

What have you learned, that you will take back with you to the Whitecaps?

“When I came to see Coach Harry, I was struggling with my form on a lot of the movements. After several months of work with Coach, I have a lot better form, so that I can lift a little heavier, and also be able to help coach my teammates with the movements, and improve their technique as well.”  

- Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“Coach help me learn a lot of new movements & exercises. Plus he taught me which muscles were working in certain movements, helping me to improve my knowledge of each lift and the anatomy.”

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“Coach Harry taught me to always come to the gym with an open mind, and a drive to succeed, whether its on the field or off it.” ST

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

Favourite exercise, and why?

“I had a lot of favourites, by overall it would have to be Deadlifts. I started off with poor movement quality, and couldn’t do a lot of weight. However, now I’m pushing the intensity a lot more, and I’m going a little heavier.”

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“My favourite exercise would have to be Nordic Hamstring Curls, because I know they are incredibly good for injury risk reduction, and I have seen myself progress throughout my time with Coach Harry.”

- Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“Mine has to be front squats, because they are so hard, and I feel like I’m getting stronger after I do them.” 

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

What couldn’t you do at the beginning of your training with Coach, that you can do now?

“I couldn’t do a pull up, but I made that a goal over the summer, that by the time I left I’d be able to do one, and now I can!!!” 

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“I remember in Vancouver, in the deadlifts & squats, I would do nothing more than a 60lb weight. But now I’m using the bar, and doing more heavier, with better technique, up to 205lbs for Deadlift, and 150lbs for front squat!” 

- Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“At the beginning, my upper body was pretty weak, like Shae, one of the exercises I couldn’t do was a pull-up. Progressing with Coach Harry, I was finally able to do some, at the end of my time with him.” 

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

Why would you recommend strength training for soccer players?

“I think its super important to put the work in at the gym, because it’s  incredibly good for injury risk reduction, and when you are stronger than other players on the pitch you have a huge advantage over them.”

- Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“Training in the gym as a soccer player is super important for injury prevention and one thing that really helped me become a faster player. I think all the leg work, deadlifts & squats, has really helped me to push myself to the point that now I have noticed a change in my physique and my speed.”

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player  

“It's really important for a soccer player, as it can help improve your shot power, your speed & strength on the field. My shot is probably the most powerful it has ever been.”

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

Out of 10, how awesome is coach Harry?

“Definitely 10 out of 10, because he keeps it fun, interesting, and it is never boring!”  

- Andrea Kraetzer (Centre Back, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“I would totally recommend training with Coach Harry, because no matter what time it is he will always show up, and put in the work for you. Every single time you come into the gym, he’s always in a good mood.”

- Shae Taylor (Centre Midfield, 16 years old), Kelowna - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

“10/10 I would definitely recommend, he’s caring & motivated to train us, he keeps it fun & interesting.”

- Ava Wright (Full Back, 16 years old), Vernon - Vancouver Whitecaps Rex Player

Annika Gross - Simon Fraser University Women's Soccer

Centre Midfield - Kelowna BC - 2003 graduate

1 - Do you feel like your goals & Coach Harry's programming aligned?
"I do feel like my goals aligned great with Coach Harry's programming. I started training with Harry to become a stronger and faster player. Coach Harry was able to build a specific program for me to help me achieve these goals. Through the 9 months that I trained with Coach Harry I have progressed immensely and feel like these results have translated greatly onto the field."

2 - Do you feel more prepared going into university now, that you would have had you not trained with Coach Harry?
"I feel much more prepared to go into university thanks to Harry's program that he built for me! First of all I feel so much stronger and faster on the field. I am more confident now that I can go into university and meet the physicality level. As well within Harry's program we did a lot of injury prevention exercises which will help me to continue playing to my full potential. Lastly, Harry spent a lot of time teaching me specific techniques of movements, mainly olympic lifting, that will help smooth the transition into lifting here at SFU. I won't have to worry about learning movements but rather can get right into it and continue to better myself. By learning all the proper technique, this will prevent avoidable injuries." 

3 - What did you enjoy the most about your training with Coach Harry?
"I enjoyed the positive environment the most. At every training session coach was always positive and so motivating. As well, I got to train with my teammates which made the experience even better. We were able to push & motivate each other which in the end benefitted us all. We all shared many laughs, and in the end this whole environment made working out fun!"

4 - How likely are you to continue training in the off season with Coach Harry and/or recommend him to another player/teammate?
"I am very likely to recommend Harry to other teammates. In the end I saw great results on and off the field from training with Harry. It was a positive experience that I really enjoyed. In the end training with Harry this past year has motivated me to continue pushing myself and I know that I will continue training next off season with him."

Annika has, already, gained plenty of minutes in preseason for SFU, and is looking extremely strong & powerful on the pitch, dominating the centre of midfield. It is going to be an exciting year for this young freshman baller. To keep up to date to how Annika is doing follow along on @sfuwsoc instagram, or athletics.sfu.ca/sports/womens-soccer. SFU play in the NCAA Division 2 - Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). 

Paige Cates - University of Calgary Dinos Womens Soccer

Right Winger/Midfielder - Kelowna BC - 2003 Graduate

1 - Do you feel like your goals & Coach Harry's programming aligned?

"Yes, back in January when I first started with Harry I was really hoping to improve my upper body strength and over the months he was able to tailor the program to me, to align with my goals, while still being able to build on my lower body strength & power."

2 - Do you feel more prepared going into university now, than you would have had you not trained with Coach Harry?

"Yes, without my training with Harry, I feel I would be going into my first year very blindly, but he helped me to feel confident and very prepared. I'm confident that I will be able to keep up with preseason on the field, and in the weightroom at U of C."

3 - What did you enjoy the most about your training with Coach Harry?

"I now feel better about my overall health and have been seeing big improvement over the past few months, but I really enjoyed spending time with Chloe, Annika, Jaidyn (team-mates from Thompson Okanagan FC) and Coach Harry in the gym. Having a fun time & good laughs together while bettering ourselves and our fitness." 

4 - How likely are you to continue training in the off season with Coach Harry and/or recommend him to another player/teammate?

"When I am back in Kelowna I am very hopeful that I'll be back & training with Coach Harry, and I would recommend him to aspiring athletes." 

Paige has had a really good preseason so far, she crushed the fitness testing, finishing first in the 40 metre dash, and triple bound. Whilst finishing 2nd overall fitness testing results. She has been picking up minutes already, and is on track to make the 25 player squad for the upcoming season. You can follow along with how the Dinos & Paige are doing on their instagram @dinoswsoc, and godinos.com/sports/womens-soccer

Jordan Thorsen - Simon Fraser University Mens Soccer

Goalkeeper - Kelowna BC - 2002 Graduate

1 - Do you feel like your goals & Coach Harry's programming aligned?

"At no time while working with coach Harry did I feel as though there was a discrepancy between my athletic goals and my programming. Coach Harry makes a point of listening to his clients and uses his experience in the field to generate an effective strategy to help his athletes improve their performance." 

2 - Do you feel more prepared going into university now, that you would have had you not trained with Coach Harry?
"Very much so! Coach Harry helped me create a solid athletic foundation that has accelerated my development as a player and mitigated time off the field due to injury. If I had not trained with Harry, I don’t believe I would be nearly as well equipped to tackle the high level of competition inherent in collegiate athletics." 

3 - What did you enjoy the most about your training with Coach Harry?
"Sessions with Coach Harry, however challenging, are always enjoyable. He has created an environment that allows his athletes to be open about how they feel physically, tailors sessions to best suit their needs, and shows great enthusiasm for his work. Coach Harry’s attitude towards training makes time in the gym a gratifying part of the athletic process." 
 

4 - How likely are you to continue training in the off-season with Coach Harry and/or recommend him to another player/teammate?
"I will certainly continue to work with Coach Harry during the offseason! His program has always ensured that I am physically and mentally prepared for the start of preseason and has seen me grow drastically as an athlete. I always look forward to my off-seasons with him!"

5 - Do you have anything additional to add?
"Coach Harry genuinely cares about the success of his clients, which is reflected in their triumphs at the collegiate level. He has a great sense of how to get the best out of you and can adjust his demeanour in order to effectively motivate and lead. He has been a pleasure to work with and I look forward continuing my athletic progress with him. If you can tolerate his silly accent, he will help you achieve your goals as he did for me." 

Jordan, going into his 2nd year at SFU, is looking set to be the number 1 choice for them between the sticks. He has worked hard in the off season, and understands the opportunity he has in front of him! I believe that if he continues with this sort of attitude, there will be nothing stopping him! Look out for big things in the future from this one! If you want to follow along with how Jordan & SFU Mens soccer are doing, you can on their instagram @sfumsoc  and athletics.sfu.ca/sports/mens-soccer.

Jaidyn McGrath - University of British Columbia Okanagan Women's Soccer

Defender - Kelowna BC - 2003 Graduate

1 - Did you feel like your goals & Coach Harry's programming aligned?

"Yes, I feel like he was able to align the program with my goals, of increasing my strength & power on the pitch. He was also able to build around my training schedule, so I did not feel sore/tired going into a field session."

2 - Do you feel more prepared going into university now, than you would have had you not trained with Coach Harry?

"I definitely feel more prepared, he was able to show use the correct technique of certain movements so I feel confident going into the weight room at UBCO. My fitness level increased, putting me in a better position to deal with preseason, and hopefully leading me to be able to start some games in my freshman year."

3 - What did you enjoy the most about your training with Coach Harry?

"The community, and the laughs we had, I was able to train with my friends & teammates during my times with him. Coach Harry had a saying of “Iron sharpens Iron”, meaning that training with my teammates meant we pushed each other in the gym. He was also able to adapt our training & schedule depending on what our weeks looked like."

4 - How likely are you to continue training in the off season with Coach Harry and/or recommend him to another player/teammate? 

"I will definitely go back to training with Coach Harry during the off season, and hopefully be able to bring some of my teammates from UBCO along with me."

Jaidyn is an athlete, on & off the pitch. She has the physical presence to dominate even the strongest & most powerful of opponents, so with that in mind she will surely be in contention for some minutes on the pitch in her freshman year. If you'd like to follow along with how Jaidyn & UBCO Women's Soccer are doing you can do through their instagram @ubcowsoc or goheat.prestosports.com/sports/wsoc/index. 

Jeff Thorburn

UBC Okanagan Heat - Head Athletic Therapist

As the Head Athletic Therapist at UBC-Okanagan, I have been very fortunate to work with Harry over the last year. He is an excellent collaborator, communicator, and coach; a true professional. Harry's programs are very well rounded for both performance gains and injury prevention. It is very reassuring to know that our UBCO Heat Women's Soccer team is being supported by someone who cares for his athletes and is passionate for their profession. I would highly recommend Harry for any aspiring athlete from any sport.

UBC Okanagan Athletics