The standard is rising on Vancouver Island – and the next generation of female soccer players is stepping up.
In a first for the region, St. Margaret’s School has partnered with Pacific FC to launch an elite Football Academy designed specifically for young female athletes, which will begin in September.
“When girls are given the tools and the trust to lead, they rise,” said Jodi Grant, the academy’s head coach. “That’s exactly what we’re doing – giving them tools and trust.”
Grant, who brings more than 20 years of NCAA coaching experience including a successful run at the University of Memphis, now leads Pacific FC’s female youth development.
“This will be a rigorous program, no question,” she said. “But balance is key. These girls are student-athletes – students first – and it’s our job to help them succeed in both.”
Players will primarily train after school at Pacific FC’s Island Training Centre in Langford. St. Margaret’s head of school Sara Blair said interest has already surpassed expectations since the program launched on May 23.
“We expected 20 to 30 girls in year one, but at this pace, we’ll see far more,” Blair said. “That tells us this decision will positively impact many girls moving forward.”
The Football Academy will combine St. Margaret’s academic reputation with Pacific FC’s professional soccer expertise. The Canadian Premier League club has spent seven years growing the game locally, and with women’s soccer rapidly gaining momentum worldwide – including Canada’s new Northern Super League (NSL) – club leaders say now is the perfect time.
“This is where the women’s game is headed,” said Jamar Dixon, Pacific FC’s director of football and the academy’s architect. “And it’s moving fast.”
Dixon, a former national team player with experience in European and Canadian pro leagues, knows the value of opportunity firsthand.
“I’ve learned that opportunity is everything,” Dixon said. “This academy gives girls something we didn’t have – a real chance to grow in the game, close to home, with people who believe in them.”
He will oversee the academy’s technical direction, ensuring it aligns with long-term player development standards while fostering leadership and team culture. His goal is to create an environment where players train like professionals, without losing their childhood.
“They’ll make memories with teammates that last a lifetime – championships, big games, team trips,” Dixon said. “And from there, all kinds of doors open – university scholarships, coaching, physiotherapy, even pro soccer.”
And for Dixon, the focus of the academy starts with character.
“We’re not just looking at ability,” he said. “It’s about mentality, resilience, accountability. You’ve got teammates counting on you. That matters.”
For Grant, the day-to-day work will focus on consistency – balancing tactical growth with academic discipline, and ensuring every athlete feels seen and supported.
“No two players are the same,” Grant said. “We get to know them, find out what they need, and help them grow – on and off the field.”
September 2025 will mark the academy’s first semester – a small start with big ambitions. For Dixon, who captained Pacific FC to the 2021 CPL championship, the potential feels familiar.
“That year taught me to stay the course,” Dixon said. “You don’t win everything at once. But if you commit and work hard, the wins come. That’s what we want for these girls – to win in their own way. On the field, in life, in everything.”
While training is off-campus, Blair hinted St. Margaret’s 22-acre Saanich campus may see turf field upgrades in the future to meet growing demand.
