Notre Dame Regional Secondary graduate Francesca Balletta committed to UBC Okanagan Heat women’s soccer’s inaugural Canada West campaign this September.
The student athlete suffered a setback her senior year of high school when she dealt with a concussion injury. However, thanks to Tom Kristensen, with whom she has been training with at the Spartan Goalkeeper Academy, she feels stronger and more ready than ever to make a big splash on the post-secondary stage.
Kristensen, a renowned coach across the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan, is the head goalkeeper coach at the Spartan Academy and Balletta credits her time with him as a major contributing factor to her comeback and preparation for the next level.
“Tom has gone above and beyond in training and coaching me into university level in both the academy and private training,” Balletta said.
The 5-8 keeper bolsters the Heat’s depth at the position, where she will do work with senior keeper Christine Tallon and another newcomer in Samantha Burgis.
Balletta will bring some size and strength to a roster in need of some more physicality in their new league. Previously a school wrestling champion and gold medalist in Port Alberni, she promises to bring a tough game and mindset to compete day in and day out.
"I am happy that Francesca has decided to join our Heat soccer program in our inaugural year in the CIS, said the seven-year Heat head coach. “Francesca comes from a family of goalkeepers and trains with one of the best programs (Spartan Keeper Academy), so she has a sound understanding of what the position demands.”
With Francesca’s quality training and understanding of the position both Paterson and her assistant in charge of keepers, Kai Tolpinrud, were “impressed” with her presence between the pipes as we put her through the paces earlier this summer.
Balletta has also recently played in the TSS elite program, where she played in the Metro Women’s under-21 league as a 16-year-old.
Enrolled in the bachelor of arts program at UBC, the rookie keeper can’t wait to get on campus next month.
“I am so excited to start my studies and soccer journey here at UBCO,” said Balletta. “I fell in love with the campus when I came to visit and I knew right away I could call this home.”
It wasn’t just the beautiful campus and thought of studying in the Okanagan that drew Francesca her, she was also impressed with coach Paterson and her future teammates when visiting the Kelowna campus.
“When I visited UBCO everyone, including Claire, the head coach of the woman’s team, were so friendly and welcoming to me, this was an environment I wanted to be part of. I am really excited I get to start the new chapter of life here,” added Balletta, “UBCO has everything I wanted in a school.”
The new keeper won’t have long to wait to begin her Heat career as the women’s soccer team starts training camp in just a few weeks, and will have their first exhibition game in Washington on Aug. 16.
