They may be in the middle of the Canada West season, but the University of Northern British Columbia Women’s Soccer program is already building for the 20224 campaign. Today, the Timberwolves announced the official commitment of talented defender Keeley Read for the 2024 U SPORTS season, and beyond.

“Oh my gosh. I have wanted to play university since I was 13 years old. I have worked so hard all my life and I wanted that to pay off. To be able to play, it’s super cool.”

The five-foot-eight Read visited UNBC’s Prince George campus this summer, where she had a chance to tour the facilities and train alongside the TWolves varsity roster. The Langley product points to the comfort she felt at the ID camp as a major factor in her decision to continue her soccer career in green and gold.

“It is super cool. The girls are super nice and really comfortable. Neil (Sedgwick) is so funny. He makes me feel really comfortable being here. Training is very much like home, so it is easy to adapt.”

Sedgwick has known of Read for a number of years, but got to welcome her to Prince George in August for an official visit. He was impressed by her pace and decision making, and knew the 17-year-old could be a big part of the TWolves moving forward.

“We are really excited to have Keeley join our program. We know she has come from a club that truly focuses on development. At Langley United FC, Keeley continues to make progress with her game and this gives us insight into the growth we could expect to see when she is on campus here at UNBC. Keeley is a fantastic teammate that has a massive appetite to improve and contribute. I am delighted Keeley has become a Timberwolf.

Read grew up training with Langley United SA, with coaches Mark Parker and Azad Palani. Having played soccer since she was four years old, she has developed her game to a point where she can impact the game at both ends of the pitch. Read knows there will be an adjustment period when she makes the leap to the highest level of university soccer in Canada, but she is ready for that challenge.

“It will be an adjustment, but I am ready. I definitely can see the field well. I can see passing opportunities and identifying where the ball can go. My strength is defending, and then going forward.”

Read will graduate from Brookswood Secondary School in June, where she was the 2023 Athlete of the Year. She will enroll in UNBC’s psychology program and join her new teammates for training camp in the summer of 2024.

“I am so excited. I think it will be tough to come right into university soccer, but I am ready and excited.”