Keelyn and Taegan Stewart to make professional debut on Calgary pitch

CALGARY—Homegrown twins, Keelyn and Taegan Stewart, are making the leap to professional soccer by inking their first contract with the Calgary Wild FC. 

The 17-year-old, Grade 12 students are the first teenagers confirmed to take the pitch in the newly-formed Northern Super League that will kick off this spring across Canada.

The versatile Calgary duo are sure to provide double the trouble for opponents when taking their positions as mid-fielders and on the wings for the Calgary Wild FC.

“Keelyn and Taegan came into this world as a package, they took their first kicks in the sport together, they developed through Calgary’s soccer system together, and we are excited to be able welcome them both as they embark on their professional careers together with their hometown club,” said Alix Bruch, sporting director, Calgary Wild FC. “These two athletes exemplify the strength and depth of Alberta’s soccer pipeline and are proof to young female players in the province the pathway to pro can start and end at home.”

The Stewart sisters began playing soccer when they were three years old, kicking the ball in their backyard together with their Mom and Dad. Mature beyond their years while developing through soccer’s pathway in Calgary and Vancouver, the sisters were part of the Canadian Under-15 National Team who participated in the CONCACAF tournament in 2022 and won the silver medal.

“Everyone’s soccer path is different, but I hope to inspire every young girl to never give up on their dream and show that managing school and soccer is possible even at the highest level if you put your head down and work hard,” said Keelyn Stewart, who added the sisters are excited to play for head coach, and football trailblazer, Lydia Bedford. “Having a supportive coach that can push me, and help me continue to develop, is important to me. I am excited to work with a coach who has so much international experience with youth. Playing pro in front of friends and family in Calgary is a huge bonus.”

The Stewarts gained their first international experience as 10-year-olds, when they were selected to train with the boys Barca Academy in Barcelona. They returned to Barcelona as 11-year olds to hone their skills and values, both on and off the field, while playing on an all-boys team at the Barca Academy World Cup. More recently, the girls have trained and played in Germany over the last 2 years with the SC Freiburg’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams. Thanks to their mother’s Welsh roots, they’ve also recently trained and competed with the Wales Under-20 National Team.

“As a young player, I want to be in an environment with players and coaches that can help me continue to develop and grow,” said Taegan Stewart. “After meeting with (coach) Lydia, I was impressed by her playing philosophy, attacking approach and coaching style. I can’t wait to get onto the field in my hometown to work with her and my new teammates.”

The twins, along with the four other Calgarians on the hometown roster, will begin welcoming their teammates to the Stampede City over the next week for training camp, which starts February 3.

The Calgary Wild FC have now announced 13 players that also includes Calgary’s Sarah Keilty-Dilling, Grace Stordy, Caleigh Boeckx, and Talia White,along with British Columbia’s Jaclyn Sawicki, Christie Gray and Jenaya Robertson.  An impressive lineup of notable names also includes: Afghan-Canadian humanitarian Farkhunda Muhtaj and Sonia O’Neill from Toronto, along with international players - New Zealand’s three-time Olympian Meikayla Moore; and Mijke Roelfsema from The Netherlands.

 About Calgary Wild FC

Calgary Wild FC is one off six teams in the newly created Northern Super League which will begin its inaugural season in 2025, featuring some of the best women’s soccer players in the world. Shop our exclusive merch and be one of the early #fansinthewild. For the latest news and information on Calgary Wild FC, visit www.calgarywildfc.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and X.  Follow the league at www.nsl.ca. 

For further information:

Chris Dornan
Calgary Wild FC
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: hpprchris@shaw.ca