Taylor Kinley did not plan to play soccer in her first year of university, but following her team’s first-place finish in the Pacific Western Athletics Association (PACWEST) league and a silver medal at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) nationals, she’s glad she changed her mind.
“I had planned to just do academics in my first year because I didn’t want any distractions, but I’m definitely glad I played,” said Kinley. “I made incredible friends and memories, and I would not change it for the world.”
Kinley was born in Powell River and attended school at Grief Point and Westview elementary schools before attending Brooks Secondary School. She graduated in June 2019, and has just completed her first semester at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was four or five,” said Kinley. “I played house until I could play rep, and then I played rep until I could try out for the Riptide in Comox. I also played soccer for Brooks Secondary from grade eight to 12, which is how I ended up on the VIU Mariners team.”
Kinley said in her grade 12 year, the Brooks team went to VIU in Nanaimo for a tournament. Following the tournament, she received an email from Mariners’ women’s soccer head coach Kevin Lindo, encouraging her to try out. She was accepted on the team on April 1.
“It is definitely a different level of soccer,” she said. “I’m playing with and against girls who are 23 and 24, which is a big age range, but the bond you make as a team is incredible. I felt instantly welcomed.”
The Mariners had a successful 2019 season, winning the PACWEST championship and earning a berth at the CCAA nationals in Edmonton. Despite snowy conditions, the team made it to the finals for the first time since 1993, and came in second in the country.
“It was cold and the ground was covered in snow,” said Kinley. “It was a difficult game, but you just have to keep going and not let the weather affect you.”
Kinley also received the PACWEST women’s soccer Rookie of the Year award.
“I didn’t expect much coming in, especially as a rookie, but I did my thing and got Rookie of the Year,” said Kinley. “I played my heart out, set up as many goals as I could, didn’t score as many goals as I’d like, but really just had a good season.”
Kinley plans to continue playing for the Mariners while she completes her physical education degree. She intends to complete a postbaccalaureate in education as well before hopefully returning to Powell River.
“I loved my childhood here,” she said. “I want my children to have the same experience.”
Kinley said she wanted to give credit to the people of Powell River for their support of amateur athletes.
“I just want to thank everyone for the support they’ve given me throughout the years,” she added. “It means something to players like me that we can make a whole community proud.”
