After leaving Langley in pursuit of his soccer dreams, Vaggeli Boucas returns home as he looks to take the next step in hopes of achieving that ultimate goal.
Boucas has signed on to play for the Trinity Western Spartans men’s soccer program in the fall.
“I want to pursue football professionally and I thought this would be the best way to do it,” Boucas explained.
By joining the Spartans, Boucas plans to continue to train with the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program.
Boucas has been a part of the residency program for the past three seasons.
After splitting his youth soccer between Aldergrove United and Langley United, Boucas made the move to Surrey United a few years ago in order to play in the B.C. High Performance League.
He also played for the provincial team program as well as being a part of the U13 national training centre.
Boucas caught the eye of the Whitecaps while playing for Surrey United in the B.C. High Performance League and through his play with the B.C. provincial team program at the U16 level.
And it was about this time when Boucas began harboring thoughts of the game taking him places.
“I really started coming into my own and finding my position and what kind of player I am,” Boucas said.
“That is when I realized (I had a future in the game) and really started to pushing myself.”
“He has been one of the most consistent performers in the USSDA league and a regular starter for the U18 residency squad this season,” said Craig Dalrymple, the technical director of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program.
“His character is flawless and he has developed into a true leader both on and off the field.”
Dalrymple added he was pleased Boucas was joining such a reputable soccer program.
Spartans coach Pat Rohla said adding Boucas, a centre-back, an excellent fit and key addition for his program.
“He will give us competitive edge, stability and experience in a vital position on the field,” Rohla said.
“Vaggeli is a strong and capable player who will give direction and assurance in the spine of the team.”
“We are doubly pleased by the fact that he is a local product that has done well, passed up opportunities in the States and come to us.”
Boucas did have some interest from a handful of smaller American universities, but staying in Langley and the Lower Mainland will allow him to train with the Whitecaps and hopefully land a spot on the team’s USL Pro squad, a developmental league for players.
