German recruits settling into TWolves camp

Tabea Ziemke and Katharina Weltz arrived in Prince George right at the end of July. The opportunities presented to them allowed them to both study and play soccer. Back in Germany, sport and academics aren’t offered together, forcing young athletes to decide the pitch or the books.

“For me, it was quite clear I wanted to go abroad for studying,” explained Ziemke. “Especially because it is an easy way to connect soccer and university to get the academic level and also improve with regard to soccer. While talking to Neil, I just felt like it was a good connection, a good coach for me to develop. With UNBC being a rather small university really helped in that decision as well.”

A native of Tonisvorst, Germany, the 18-year-old played her club soccer with Borussia Monchengladbach under coach Romeo Schafer. The five-foot-six competitor has seen footage of Timberwolves games and is confident she can adapt to the North American approach to the game.

A native of Leipzig, a city of 600,000, Weltz knew she wanted to go as far as she could with the game she loves. Upon learning of the small university in Northern BC, she made contact with Timberwolves coach Neil Sedgwick. Over the next few months, they stayed in touch, discussing all UNBC could offer the talented German academically, culturally, and athletically.

Entering their second week of training camp, both Ziemke and Weltz are finding the transition to the Canada West brand of the game is going well.

“Everybody is really supportive and tried to help. Of course, there’s a lot of things to adjust because the system and everything is quite different, but it’s really good for me because there are lots of things I can learn from Neil and the other players, so they’re really helping me to adjust here,” said Ziemke.

“The girls are really nice. I stay in a house with three other girls and they help me to connect. All the girls help me to get the tactic stuff and everything so I have a lot of support so I’m quite fine here,” said Weltz.

Sedgwick admits he got a good grasp that the pair were wanting to be contributors to the program right from their first conversations over Zoom.

“It was really a good fit for the two of them,” said Sedgwick. “To be able to play at a high level and to study, it is unique for them to have it at the same institution because [back in Germany] they would be studying but playing club. To have them all together and to walk around the university and see their teammates on a consistent basis, I think it’s going to be a great experience for them and I think that was a big draw.”

The Timberwolves will be opening their season on the road come September 10th in Victoria when they hit the pitch against the Vikes.

by Ethan Ready

German recruits settling into TWolves camp

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