Kamloops United seeing improvement despite young roster, growing pains

May 21, 2026 | 4:22 PM

KAMLOOPS – At the beginning of the soccer season, Kamloops United decided to change its philosophy and focus on development. The academy has started younger lineups throughout the year, and so far, it has shown in the results.

The men’s team is looking for its first win, while the women sit second-last in the league table, with their one win coming in April over Nanaimo United. Despite being near the bottom of the table, the women believe in the growth of the team during the first half of the season.

“I think we’re working more on playing good soccer, and really, I think when you’re on the field or even watching, you can see,” says Annie Clark, one of the younger players on the roster. “Even though we have some older players, some younger players, the connection, just the way we move the ball, I think we’re doing really well on that. I think that will lead us to results later on, but I think right now we’re just building that foundation.”

Both the men’s and women’s teams are rostering younger squads. That comes with growing pains, which are evident, but it also comes with improvement. Veteran players are noticing that improvement in the first- and second-year players halfway through the year.

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“I think our playing style (has really improved),” stated midfielder Anika Black. “I think we are developing a culture as a team, which hasn’t really been developed in the past couple of years. With our playing style, we’re getting down, but we’re playing good quality soccer now, which is great.”

Another factor in United’s 1-6-0 record may be the unusual schedule. Kamloops United has played five of the first seven games on the road, often travelling down to the Lower Mainland. Despite the road trips, the players are not taking it as a negative. It’s led to the team becoming closer.

“The team bonding time that I think we get on those away games, like driving in the van, something as simple as that, just like spending time together,” says Clark. “I think that’s really valuable and I think that has honestly helped us a lot because we’re all so many different ages, but we connect really well.”

Up next is another road game for United. Both teams are travelling to North Vancouver this weekend to take on Altitude FC. United’s next home game is scheduled for May 29 at Hillside Stadium, where they’ll take on TSS Rovers FC.

by Anthony Corea

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Kamloops United seeing improvement despite young roster, growing pains

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