Soon-t0-be G.W. Graham grad Taylor Colby will be playing soccer in the PACWest athletic conference next season.
COVID permitting, Colby is heading to North Vancouver to join the Capilano University women’s team. The teenager signed her letter of intent at GWG Wednesday, and as pen touched paper she felt a massive weight lifted off her shoulders.
“It’s been difficult getting to this point, because college coaches will usually come to your games to watch you play, but my coaches helped me a lot creating highlight videos to send out to them,” Colby said. “There was a lot more communicating through Zoom and email, which was harder, but everything led me to this and this is super exciting. It’s nice to feel my hard work finally paying off.”
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Colby is an example of what can be accomplished through diligence and determination. Only four years ago, she was a rec-level soccer player.
“For house players who want to move up, I’d say you’ve got to work at it, work at it and put yourself out there,” the 17 year old said. “My goal when I get on the field is to never stop working and I think I bring energy to the field. I’m a good listener too. Whenever my coaches give me feedback, I really try to think about what they say and put it into my game.”
Colby hopes to eventually study music at Capilano, a rarity in the athletic world where most gravitate towards something in the kinesiology realm.
“All my life I’ve had a huge passion for music and singing, and when I started playing soccer I added another love,” said Colby, who plays the piano. “Ever since I was little I’ve been in talent shows, and it’s something I’ve wanted to try and pursue. Soccer and music are opposite ends of the spectrum, but I’m equally passionate about both.
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“But yes, people are usually shocked when I tell them I’m into soccer and music. Even my coach at Capilano said, ‘Really? That’s what you want to do?’”
Like every athlete, Colby has been limited in what she can do to stay sharp without regular practices/games.
“I’m lucky I have a big yard, which helps a lot,” she said. “I’ve been out there a couple times a week, and I’ve tried to go on runs in between, but that’s definitely been the hardest part.”
She’s not sure what to expect on or off the field between now and September, whether she’ll be walking into a full-speed-ahead season or another COVID-disrupted campaign.
But whatever the fall brings, she’s excited to start.
“I think it’ll be a big transition to a new team and new players, and there’s a small bit of nervousness about meeting people and balancing academics and soccer,” Colby said. “But mostly it’s excitement. It’s a huge opportunity.”
Her coach at G.W. Graham, Shane Mummery, has no doubt she’ll succeed.
“Taylor is a tireless and hardworking two-way midfielder,” Mummery said. “She is always an offensive threat, but understands her defensive responsibilities. She has the skill and work ethic to be a successful university athlete and we wish her all the success in the world as she transitions to Capilano University.”
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eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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