One provincial title wasn’t enough – now, Callie Turpin’s taking her game national
Fresh off a provincial championship with Spectrum Community School, soon-to-be Grade 12 goalkeeper Callie Turpin has been selected to represent Team BC at the 2025 Canada Summer Games, taking place Aug. 8-17 in St. John’s, Nfld.
She’s one of two players from the Victoria-based Vancouver Island Wave selected to the provincial squad, joining teammate Katharina Cronkhite on the roster.
Turpin’s rise through the ranks has been quick, especially considering she only picked up the sport at age 11.
“I just thought it looked fun, and then I became a goalkeeper – I’ve always wanted to play that position. I’ve never really been interested in all the running,” she said, laughing.
The View Royal teen credits much of her development to Trevor Stiles at Keeper Culture, the Victoria-based academy where she’s trained since she was 14.
“He’s a really good coach. He’s brought me up to the keeper that I am now,” she said.
Turpin plays her club soccer with the Vancouver Island Wave in the BC Soccer Premier League – the highest level of youth soccer in the province – where she’s surrounded by top talent and elite coaching.
“It’s really fun,” she said. “There’s a lot of talented girls, good coaches, and consistent training. We’re the only team on the Island, so we do a lot of travel, but I really enjoy it.”
Along the way, she’s looked up to world-class goalkeepers like England’s Mary Earps and Germany’s Manuel Neuer.
“I really like the way they play – especially Neuer. He’s very aggressive,” she said with a grin. “Obviously, I’m not 6'4", but I’d say my style is pretty similar.”
At Spectrum, Turpin and Cronkhite helped lead the senior girls to a dominant season capped off with a provincial championship. Turpin allowed just four goals in five games at the tournament, while Cronkhite chipped in with three goals.
“It felt amazing,” Turpin said. “It was such a great group. All the senior girls are super talented – we had a lot of fun, and doing it in Victoria made it even more special.”
These days, her schedule is packed.
She trains five days a week – sometimes twice a day – and said she tries to make the most of every session, whether it’s with her academy, her club team, or on her own.
And that won’t change anytime soon. She’s headed to Vancouver for a month-long Team BC training camp, where the squad will train five days a week leading up to the tournament.
“I’ve always loved it,” she said. “Even when it’s pouring rain or when people tell me to take a break – I don’t want to miss practice.”
That dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed at home.
“She’s always been in love with the sport,” said her mom, Kim. “She’s the most insanely dedicated person I know – it’s really cool to watch her chase this dream.”
Looking ahead, Turpin has big aspirations. She hopes to play university soccer in the United States and is considering a future in business or sports management.
But for now, her sights are set on August – and the rare chance to wear B.C.’s colours on the national stage.
“I never imagined this when I started at 11,” she said. “I just wanted to play for fun. But I’m really excited – I think it’s going to be amazing.”
This biennial tournament has seen some of the games biggest Canadian stars playing in years past including; Katrina Leblanc, Diana Matheson, Rhian Wilkinson, and Julia Grosso.
Turpin, Cronkhite, and the rest of Team BC will open the tournament with matches against Quebec and the Northwest Territories.
