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In July 2025, the British Columbia Premier League Men’s Selects stepped onto the pitch in Kamloops. Less than a year later, three of those players have signed professional contracts in the Canadian Premier League.

On July 31, 2025, the BCPL (formerly League1 BC) Men’s Selects faced Nottingham Forest’s U-21 side at Hillside Stadium as part of the Kamloops International Cup — a high-level showcase designed to test the province’s top talent against elite academy opposition.

Today, three players who featured in that match are set to compete professionally in the Canadian Premier League.

Kian Proctor and Matheus De Souza signed with Vancouver FC, the latter on a CPL-U SPORTS contract, while Francesco Troisi has joined Halifax Wanderers FC.

All three developed at the BCPL level before representing the League Selects in Kamloops. Proctor spent three seasons (2023 to 2025) with TSS Rovers, De Souza competed with Langley United in 2025 and Troisi featured with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in 2025 prior to earning his professional opportunity.

For Proctor, BCPL was where the foundation was built.

“Jumping from youth to men’s level brought up the physicality and the pace of the game,” he said. “I don’t think I would be where I am now without [Premier Soccer Leagues Canada].”

That jump in level prepared him for the professional game — and for international competition. Just last week, Proctor made his professional debut for Vancouver FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, logging 23 minutes against Mexican side Cruz Azul.

“It was surreal,” he said. “Very fast-paced and energetic — definitely another level.”

For De Souza, the BCPL environment provided consistent minutes and competitive training standards that bridged the gap to the professional game.

“It was a competitive environment. I got games [throughout the season],” he said. “I worked hard through [PSLC] to get to where I am now.”

Now signed to a CPL-U SPORTS contract with Vancouver FC, De Souza views the move as a step into a higher standard.

“It’s a different switch from semi-professional to professional,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”

Troisi echoed the importance of the BCPL level in preparing him for the next step.

“Playing with and against more experienced players helped prepare me for the step to the Canadian Premier League,” he said.

While the Kamloops International Cup offered valuable exposure, Troisi credited the consistency of BCPL competition for laying the groundwork.

“The [Kamloops International Cup] gave me the opportunity to show my skills and compete at a higher level,” he said. “But the level of competition throughout the season [is what] helped get me ready.”

That readiness translated into a professional contract with the Wanderers. 

Anthony Totera, a grassroots ambassador and domestic amateur scout at the CPL, oversaw the 2025 showcase and believes the progression of Proctor, De Souza and Troisi reflects the strength of the development pathway.

“When you see players who competed in our BCPL showcase go on to sign professional contracts, it reinforces why these events matter,” said Totera. “The work happening at the Premier Soccer Leagues Canada level is producing players who are ready for the CPL.”

With plans to continue hosting similar showcase events in new regions across the country, the focus remains on providing meaningful platforms for emerging talent.

From BCPL competition to the Kamloops International Cup — and now to professional contracts in the CPL — the pathway is not just visible. It is delivering.