KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's soccer team has added another strong player with local connections as head coach John Antulov announced that Caleb Kroad has committed the 'Pack.
 
A Kamloops kid through-and-through, Kroad attends South Kamloops Secondary and has played his youth soccer with first the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association (now Kamloops United) and then Thompson Okanagan FC (now Okanagan United FC).
 
"I chose TRU because Kamloops has always been home for me. Growing up here, I've watched the WolfPack play and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of someday," said Kroad. "Being able to represent my hometown team is something I've wanted for a long time, so it feels amazing to make it happen finally."
 
A physical midfielder that likes to impose his will upon the game in the crucial middle of the park, Kroad is a player that Antulov sees just continuing to get better and better.
 
"Caleb is very determined, very strong and physical with a good soccer I.Q.," said Antulov. "I think Caleb will develop in our program over the next three or four years."
 
Alongside his time with Kamloops United and OUFC, Kroad has a long history with Antulov since joining the Whitecaps FC Kamloops BMO Development Academy at the age of nine.
 
"I've worked with Caleb since he was nine years old so I've really seen his growth and development and all the work he has put in to get to where is now," said Antulov. "That work says a lot about him and his character and those are the things we are looking for in guys that we add to our program."
 
During his youth soccer career, Kroad has been mentored by multiple former members of the 'Pack, something that is an important step in the continuing growth for soccer in the region. Kroad is the third member of the 2024-25 recruiting class for the 'Pack with all three coming from right here in Kamloops.
 
"That was always a big thing for me, is to be able to have all of my TRU guys helping as coaches with the academy, these younger kids have something to look towards now," said Antulov. "They want to come to TRU, not all are going to come, but now my players as coaches are setting a standard for these younger kids in the community to strive for."
 
Kroad is looking forward to also continuing his education at Thompson Rivers University where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration.
 
"It means a lot to me to represent the WolfPack," said Kroad. "When I was nine, I joined the Whitecaps Academy in Kamloops with John, and I had the chance to work with TRU players through that program. I really looked up to those players and am happy to get to represent TRU."

Name – Caleb Kroad
Position - Midfielder
Hometown – Kamloops, BC
Last Team – TOFC
High School – South Kamloops Secondary