With some strong ties to 琉璃神社, relocating to the Okanagan was a relatively easy decision for Jill Hunt.

The 5-foot-6 centre-back/midfielder from Seaquam Secondary in Delta has signed on with the UBC Okanagan heat women鈥檚 soccer team for the 2017 Canada West season.

Hunt鈥檚 parents both grew up in 琉璃神社 and she has relatives throughout the valley.

She鈥檒l also be living on the UBCO campus with one of her TSS FC teammates, Heat recruit Kacee Ougden.

鈥淚鈥檝e spent a lot of time here and to commit to UBCO feels right,鈥� said Hunt. 鈥淚 plan on living on campus along with my current teammate who is also a new recruit which will be very exciting.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 ask for a better school and knowing that I鈥檒l also be part of the Heat soccer team is really exciting and I feel very fortunate for this opportunity.鈥�

Hunt started her organized soccer career with SurDel Girls Soccer, where she played for the program鈥檚 U11 and U12 teams, the Metro girls side, and attended the USA Cup. She moved on to play her U13 to U15 seasons with Coastal FC of the BCPL.

She then joined Surrey United for her U16, and U17 seasons, and attended the 2015 nationals with the program鈥檚 U18 side. Jill spent the 2016-17 season with the TSS FC program in Richmond.

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited that while attending UBCO I鈥檒l get to represent my university as a member the soccer team. I鈥檝e been training really hard to be prepared for this level of soccer, so I鈥檓 really looking forward to the start of the season,鈥� said Hunt.

She also added that history with the coaching staff provided an added bonus in coming here. 鈥淚鈥檝e had opportunities to be trained by Craig since I鈥檝e been 11 years old, but I never dreamed I鈥檇 get to play for him at University. I couldn鈥檛 ask for better coaches and I can鈥檛 wait to meet the team.鈥�

Head coach Craig Smith is pleased to sign the talented recruit and with her training and skill set prior to her arriving on the Okanagan campus. 鈥淛ill will be coming from a great club environment (TSS) that has aided in her strong technical ability with dynamic 1v1 skills and good passing range,鈥� explained Smith.

Off the field, Hunt will be studying business and management starting this coming September.

Hunt鈥檚 teammate from TSS plays centre-mid while striker is the third of the three CMF recruits.