Midfielder making moves with the NSS advantage

By Max Cambpell

Annalise Cicoria has more to juggle than just a soccer ball on the pitch.

She’s also got her commitments in the classroom at the National Sport School.

And despite being just 15 years old, Cicoria has long taken to the coaching and the teaching.

She began playing organized soccer as early as she could, and when it came time for her high school years, Cicoria’s team hatched a plan to kick things into high gear.

“I’ve been with my soccer coach for the past five years and one of the other players had suggested to get a bigger academy started,” says Cicoria. “Our coach talked to (NSS Principal) Mr. Jewan and said it was a possibility, so I just kind of went with it because I wanted to improve. I said, ‘If it happens, I’m in.’”

With approval for the academy and references in hand, her next step was to formally apply to the NSS.

“You fill out some information and send it in, and then you may get picked for a group interview,” says Cicoria. “They asked questions about character and why we wanted to go here and our relationship with our coaches. And a big thing was how we were doing in school. Obviously, we have very smart people here for a reason. After that, I was sent an email saying I was accepted.”

School has never come second for her, so she figured the Elite Soccer academy partnering with the NSS would be the perfect way to use her head as an attacking midfielder and a committed student.

“I find that I’ve always been really driven in school,” says Cicoria. “Most things have come kind of naturally to me, like science and math. Throughout my life, I’ve had determination through everything—soccer and school.”

Now in Grade 10 and with 12 years of dribbling and defending to her name, she’s found her sweet spot.

“For the NSS side of it, the Elite Soccer, we have training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the morning which replaces a gym class or an option in the first period,” says Cicoria. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have sport science, which is fitness and trying to get stronger. That’s normally in the PTC (WinSport’s Performance Training Centre). For my club stuff, I just recently signed a pre-youth contract with Calgary Wild FC, which is the new NSL (Northern Super League) team. They are a professional team, so they train during the day from 9:30 to noon, which is kind of right in the middle of school. So, for the last two months, I missed a lot of school. But after training, I show up to school and can carry on.”

Currently the youngest player associated with Wild FC, Cicoria won’t be eligible to wear the Owl-crested kit in game action until her next birthday.

In the meantime, she’s been getting other game experience with lots still on the line. Cicoria recently returned from Quebec where she played for Canada Select in a three-team, national tournament with Canada Soccer scouts on hand.

It’s opportunities such as these which Cicoria hopes will translate into offers from US colleges once they’re allowed to begin contacting her as of June 15. She may choose to study medicine.

“My goal is definitely going to school,” says Cicoria. “That’s my big thing. But I love soccer so much that I don’t want to give it up. I’m hoping to go to an NCAA Div. 1 program in the States. That way I can balance school and soccer like I am now, but at an even higher level. I think it would be a great opportunity to keep developing.”

With many supporters of her own to cheer her on, Cicoria wants to help encourage the next wave of NSS student-athletes. For anyone skeptical about starting somewhere new, she has one final message to help put any anxiety at ease. 

“I think it’s a very good environment to be in,” says Cicoria. “One thing I was worried about was leaving my friends to go to this school where I didn’t know anyone at the time. But now I have my best friends here. Everyone is so nice and connects with you immediately because they know so much about what it takes.”