Venhola on Injury Permit to Pacific FC
The Victoria Highlanders have provided cover to Pacific FC (PFC) for their upcoming away match with the injury permit of current Highlanders goalkeeper Tyrone Venhola, approved by Head Coach Thomas Niendorf.
Former Highlanders goalkeeper Nolan Wirth, PFC, is currently nursing an ankle injury which now provides Ty an opportunity with the CPL based club.
"This is a great opportunity that I'm thankful for and ready," stated Venhola. "The dream has always been to go pro and now I have an opportunity to help Pacific and work hard and hopefully in the end we'll see where it goes. Right now I'm supporting the team while Nolan gets fit and in the end will take it day by day."
Venhola is playing his third season with the black and gold. The Abbotsford native played five seasons with the UNBC Timberwolves from 2012-2018. In those seasons the athletic ‘keeper amassed 41 starts, 356 saves, 10 clean sheets, and was named Best Defensive Player in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. Venhola also took home the Timberwolves’ Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014-15 campaign.
"Our mandate is to provide players a platform to showcase themselves and to see them move to the professional ranks of soccer," stated Highlanders co-owner and GM Mark deFrias. "Alongside former alumni playing in Europe or MLS, we now have three alumni playing in the CPL. Ty now has his opportunity, and although it's only a injury permit who knows where that can lead as things move forward. He's a great person, hardworking and humble and we believe he can perform at the CPL level. This sort of player movement, collaboration and support of each other is what we want to see happen between Pacific and Highlanders. It makes sense given we share the same hometown."
Another Highlanders keeper, Trevor Schneider, has also been training with Pacific FC this past week to provide additional support during their training. This is the first season with the Highlanders for Schneider. The 2000-born ‘keeper spent time with Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency. He also spent time with the Canadian Men’s U-15 Identification Camp and took part in the national men’s U-17 camp in the United States in 2017.
Schneider will be dressed, alongside starting goalkeeper Simon Norgrove, for the Highlanders home game on Sunday June 2nd versus Lane United. Tickets can be purchased here: www.highlandersfc.ca/tickets