The countdown is on - 7 weeks until Nanaimo United FC’s League1 BC home opener on April 12 at the Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium against expansion club Evolution FC. The 2024 season saw 2060 fans through the gates over the 6 double headers held at the stadium, plus 110 players and coaches, staff and volunteers each game. With 8 home dates this season, let’s increase those numbers! Come on out and catch the action.
Ben Creswick, 2024, @marytookaphoto
It’s a season of flux for both our men’s and women’s teams. 2024 Men’s Top Forward of the Year, Top Goalscorer of the year, and League1 BC’s Top Player of the Year, Billy Bagiopolous has moved to Crete, Greece, his home country, where he plays semi-professional soccer for Kilkisiakos. As mentioned in a recent blog post, Suka Behery, the second leading goalscorer on the men’s team from last season, is playing professionally in Egypt’s second division. One of last season's goalkeepers, Callum Weir, is also moving on.
“I was able to learn and grow a lot as a footballer but also as a person. Using the platform Harbourside has provided me with, this summer I am able to push on and test myself in the professional ranks, whether that be as part of a CPL club or playing in the Canadian Championship against one. It will be a complicated and challenging summer but I am fully prepared and excited for whichever path lies ahead!”
The men’s team has seen quite a few well-developed players move on, and we’re looking forward to seeing what a squad of newcomers will bring to the club. But don’t worry! There is still a cohort of last season’s players sticking around, and we are excited to share who they are in a few weeks.
Callum Weir, 2024, @marytookaphoto
On the women’s side, we’ve also seen a few shifts. As highlighted in our interview a few weeks ago, Jazmine Wilkinson has signed with Ottawa Rapids FC, a Northern Super League team. The inaugural Northern Super League season also starts in April. Erin Jensen, a striker from the 2024 squad, tore her Achilles during preseason training last August and is recovering from surgery. With the rehab window being 10-12 months, she is working full time and focussing on her career off the field. The Nanaimo United team wishes you a speedy recovery, Erin! These are only two examples of changes we’ve seen on the women’s side. What will the final squad look like on April 12?
Left to right: Tannis McKay, Jensa Napier-Gangley, Erin Jensen, 2024, @marytookaphoto
Tickets will be available soon. Be sure to follow @nufcleague1 on Instagram or Nanaimo United FC - League1 BC on Facebook for details and notifications!
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United! For the harbor!
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