CONGRATULATIONS MAGGIE!
Maggie has long been a shining star in our OPDL program, showcasing her exceptional skills and unwavering commitment year after year. Her journey to this prestigious achievement is marked by dedication and perseverance.
Just last year, Maggie impressed scouts at the 2023 Provincial Screening, earning her debut on the Provincial 2023 XCEL team.
Now, in 2024, her hard work has once again paid off as she secured her spot on the Provincial U15 XCEL team, reaffirming her status as one of the top goalies in the province.
We asked Maggie her thoughts on making the team two years in a row.
"I’m very grateful to have made the team again. It’s such an amazing opportunity, and I’m so thankful for all of this. My goalie trainers Vince Lepiane and Mike Folino have been helping me with this journey throughout my life and they have helped me get to this position, so I am very grateful for them."
Her dad, Gordon Bell, also commented on the opportunities Maggie has received from our OPDL program.
"I can only say that we are seeing the benefits of Maggie playing in the OPDL - she is being challenged and we couldn’t have dreamed of the opportunities Maggie is getting anywhere else. She is a very driven athlete, and this is pushing her even harder."
Maggie's success serves as an inspiration to aspiring soccer players everywhere, illustrating the rewards of persistent and outstanding determination and passion for the game. We applaud Maggie for her exceptional accomplishments and eagerly anticipate the incredible contributions she will undoubtedly make to her Provincial XCEL team and the sport as a whole.
Congratulations, Maggie, on this remarkable achievement!
Since Niagara Falls Soccer Club acquired OPDL in 2021, we have had 23 players invited out to the Ontario Soccer Provincial XCEL Screening, with 5 players successfully making the teams to date. Still to be announced for the 2024 provincial team is the U14 girls and boys which will be released on April 29th.
Our President, Paul Lepiane, also commented on this remarkable achievement. "Maggie Bell continues to inspire players across our whole OPDL Program. This achievement reflects what our players strive to be. It also highlights the quality of coaching and the efforts and involvement of all those who help to provide this OPDL program for soccer players all across the Niagara Region."
Honorable Mentions!
Niagara Falls Soccer Club would like to CONGRATULATE the 10 NFSC - NIAGARA FC OPDL players who attended the Ontario Soccer Provincial XCEL Screening Competition!
The following players should be commended for their hard work and efforts and embrace the achievement and experience of being invited to compete for the Provincial teams.
U14 Girls
Adelaide Dearborn - Striker
Sophie Vaughan - Center Midfield
U14 Boys
Sami Nezali - Striker
Xavier Nicolazzo - Attacking Midfielder
U15 Girls
Maggie Bell - Goalkeeper - U14 Girls 2023 Provincial XCEL Team
U15 Boys
Gianluca Arghittu - Striker
U16 Girls
Scarlett Steele - Goalkeeper
Sophie Costantini - Right Back
U16 Boys
Liam Armstrong - Goalkeeper - U15 Boys 2023 Provincial XCEL Team
U17 Boys
Matthew Schirru - Striker
ABOUT THE PROVINCIAL XCEL PROGRAM
The Provincial Xcel Program is available to all Ontario Soccer registered players who are eligible to compete at either an U14, U15, U16, or U17 age groups.
The Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) is the primary venue in which potential Provincial Team Players are detected. There are however, alternative player detection options for those Ontario Soccer registered players who do not compete within the OPDL.
The Provincial Program will focus on player screening, talent identification and benchmarking of players through competition.
The U14, U15, U16 and U17 Provincial Screening Competitions will take place from March and April.
It is at the U15 and U17 Boys and Girls inter-Provincial Competition in May where the Canada Soccer Excel Technical Staff will be present to scout the players for a potential invite to Canada Soccer National Excel Environments.
GOALS:
- To provide players with an inspirational experience in the Provincial program to ignite their ambition to represent Canada at the international level
- Talent Identification and benchmarking of player performance through quality competition
- Provide the opportunity for possible new Ontario players to be selected for future Regional & National EXCEL Environments
- Provide opportunity for the top Ontario players to be exposed to more post-secondary opportunities, locally and abroad, in a best with best environment
To learn more about our OPDL Program please visit: Ontario Player Development League (OPDL)
To learn more about the Ontario Soccer Provincial XCEL Program and competition dates please CLICK HERE
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