Andrea Neil, a 1996 UBC Kinesiology graduate and former star Thunderbird soccer player, has been described by the local media as “. . . a legend with an unimpeachable reputation.” As a student at UBC her soccer skills and coaching ability were coming into focus as she now is considered to be one of UBC’s soccer greats having been inducted in 2009 into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. During her UBC career she was four times selected Canada West All-Star, a U SPORTS All-Canadian and in 1993 was co-winner of the Marilyn Pomfret trophy as UBC’s female athlete of the year.
It was her career with the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team along with 17 years on Canada’s National team that brought her on to the national and international stage. She helped the Whitecaps win two league championships to go with her one U SPORTS national title with UBC. It was at that championship she was selected the tournament MVP. Then one can add the four consecutive FIFA World Cups she won with Canada’s National team and you have a soccer record of ‘legendary’ proportions.
Idolized by many young soccer players and considered a role model, her coaches have lauded her for the leadership and inspiration she provides. In addition to UBC’s induction in 2009, Andrea was also inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 the same year she became the first woman soccer player to be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Fred Hume
April 2019
