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Two young, up-and-coming Yukon soccer players are spending their summers training with top-flight clubs outside of the territory.

Aimee Parker is patrolling the left side of the midfield for Bonivital SC in Winnipeg, while Callum Wood Ryan is working a similar role at the Real Salt Lake youth academy in Casa Grande, Ariz.

The two 16-year-olds 鈥� both of whom attended the sports school at F.H. Collins Secondary this past year 鈥� caught up with the Star this week to discuss their growth on the pitch.

Parker鈥檚 introduction to the Bonivital club came last summer at a USA鈥圕up tournament in Minnesota.

Enrolled as a guest player, she found herself playing with Bonivital, one of the most successful clubs in Canada.

While the team was ousted in the tournament鈥檚 quarter-finals, Parker made an impression with the coach, who offered her a chance to play with the club for the outdoor season this summer.

鈥淲ithout any hesitation, I accepted the offer,鈥� Parker told the Star. 鈥淚 knew this would be an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a soccer player.鈥�

The club is currently training for a Thunder Bay tournament and the subsequent Manitoba Soccer Association Provincial Club Cup.

Bonivital鈥檚 results in the club tournament could land Parker a chance to represent the province at nationals in October, she said.

Regardless, Parker said the experience has been excellent thus far. She is currently playing for the Premier 1 squad, and has to work hard to retain her spot.

So far, so good, for the youngster who has fought to overcome struggles with homesickness and the stresses of attending a brand-new school.

鈥淚 have met amazing people and grown so much as a soccer player,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淭his has been a great experience.鈥�

Meanwhile, Wood Ryan is making a name for himself at the Real Salt Lake youth academy.

Known to his teammates as 鈥淐anada,鈥� Wood Ryan is currently in the midst of a six-week camp at the Arizona academy.

Wood Ryan has been training two to three times per day, and he believes the experience has helped him grow.

鈥淢y time with the team is great, and I would love to stay longer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he competition is very good and I鈥坈ompete very well with all of them.

鈥淭hank you to my coaches because my touches are better than most people鈥檚. I think a few other guys would do well here.鈥�

While Wood Ryan鈥檚 stint in Arizona will end July 20, he has a tryout lined up with the Vancouver WhiteCaps youth club.

He is also pursuing an opportunity with Sentinel Secondary School鈥檚 soccer academy program in Vancouver for next year.

Both athletes said attending the sports school at F.H. Collins helped them in their journeys.

鈥淪ports school helped me come to Winnipeg with confidence,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚t made me a much more solid player in key area of the sport 鈥� speed, strength, endurance and discipline.鈥�