Fil-Canadian goalie hopes to suit up for Phl team

Manila, Philippines - For teenaged Fil-Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Ang-Cogswell, the ultimate dream is to represent the Philippines in international competition and elevate her game to the highest level possible.

Stephanie, or Buppy as she is fondly called, was introduced to football when she was six and took to goalkeeping like fish to water. At 13, the 5-5 daughter of former PBA broadcaster Ronith Ang plays the game she loves five days a week, 11 months of the year. She’s the netkeeper for the Vancouver Football Club from September to March, the Little Flower Academy varsity from April to May and Mountain Football Club in the summer league from June to July.

Last weekend, Stephanie led Mountain F. C. to the Baker Blast title in Bellingham, Washington. The three-day tournament gathered 12 under-14 teams from British Columbia and Washington. Mountain F. C. posted a 5-0 record, scoring 27 goals and yielding only one on a penalty.

In September, Stephanie will suit up for the Fusion club, a selection of All-Stars from Vancouver and Richmond, in the under-15 category of Canada’s developmental Premier League. She’s also playing for Mountain F. C. in the six-team Northwest Y-League eliminations for a slot in the United Soccer League (USL) Finals in Florida on Dec. 1-6. The USL Finals will assemble the champions from the Northwest, Mideast, New England, Southeast, South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic. So far, Mountain F. C. has a 4-0-1 record in five games with 30 goals for and only one against in the Northwest qualifiers.

Stephanie, an incoming sophomore in British Columbia’s only all-girl Catholic high school Little Flower Academy in Vancouver, said she plans to try out for a football college scholarship in the US.

Born in Vancouver, Stephanie lived a few years in Manila and visits home often. Her older sister Alex, 14, also competes in sports, specializing in volleyball where her tandem took silver in the under-14 beach volleyball provincials and her indoor team participated in the nationals last year. Her mother Ronith, a volleyball and tennis player, was a newscaster on Philippine TV and worked as a PBA broadcaster in 1992-95. She has been involved in marketing and external relations for the all-boys Catholic school Vancouver College since 2005.  

 “I love the challenge of being a goalkeeper,” said Stephanie who has attended camps of noted goalkeeping coaches Raegyn Hall, Mike Franks and Simon Smith. “From my position, I can see the entire field so I’m able to be like the coach. I know each and every one of my teammates. It’s crucial that we work together as a team. Communication on and off the field is very important.”

Stephanie said while she doesn’t run as much as her teammates during a game, it doesn’t mean she works less. “I do a lot of extra training especially with coach Franks who used to play in Scotland and Holland,” she said. “I’ve also learned a lot from coach Hall who is with the Vancouver White Caps in the Major Soccer League. I attend camps of the Simon Smith Academy where goalkeeping is a concentration. For two years, I was with the White Caps development team for 11 to 12 year olds.”

Last season, Stephanie was the youngest player on the Little Flower varsity but was the MVP. She was also the goalkeeper of the British Columbia team that battled Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba at the Western Canada provincials in Winnipeg. 

 “I take my football seriously,” said Stephanie. “If I’m not training, I’m playing games. My biggest thrill is saving a penalty and I’ve already saved a few. I want to gain more experience as a goalkeeper and if I get a chance to play for the Philippines, it would be a dream come true.”

Stephanie’s mother Ronith said it would be a thrill to watch her daughter compete for the Philippines. The closest Ronith ever got to represent the country was covering the 1991 Southeast Asian Games for NBN-TV.

 “It’s a huge commitment for parents to support their children who are into competitive sports,” said Ronith, a University of British Columbia graduate. “It’s not just driving the kids to and from practice and game venues. It’s also the time you spend in showing support, not to mention the financial aspect. But it’s all worth it. Buppy is serious about the game and her sister and I are behind her all the way. We support her dream of someday playing for the Philippines.”