For Annika Gross, soccer has always been more than just a game; the sport has shaped who she is on and off the field. After almost 20 years of playing, the Kelowna native is preparing for her final season with the UBCO Heat, closing a chapter that began right here in Kelowna. "It feels really special to finish my career where it all started," Gross said. "There's something about coming back home, playing in front of the people who've supported me, and ending things here. It just feels right."

Gross' story with soccer began at just three years old. Her mom initially signed her up for dance, and her twin brother, Noah, up for soccer. Young Annika would sit and watch her twin's practices and always found herself wanting to join in. It did not take long for Annika to realize that was the best decision she would make. 

"I feel like I was always pretty good," she recalled, "but I was on the smaller side. Around U10–U12 with Kelowna United, I struggled because of my size." Determined to keep up, Gross began one-on-one training sessions to build confidence and refine her skills. That hard work eventually paid off. At the age of 13, she earned a spot on the Thompson Okanagan FC (TOFC) team, competing there until U18. From there, her development accelerated. "Making TOFC was a crucial part of my journey," Gross said. "Without it, it would've been hard to take the next step. After that, everything fell into place." Her success with TOFC included two championship wins and multiple invitations to Team BC camps – a significant accomplishment for a player outside of Vancouver.

While her competitive drive carried her forward, Gross said the real reason she fell in love with soccer was the community it brought her. "My friends have always been my teammates," she said. "I love the competitiveness, but also connecting with people who share the same passion."

That sense of belonging was shaped by her family, who all had athletic backgrounds. With her dad playing football, her mom volleyball, her older brother competing in track, and her twin brother in football, Gross grew up surrounded by sports. "Being around such a competitive and supportive family made me who I am," she explained. "My parents were so dedicated to helping me reach my full potential. I would not have taken soccer as seriously without their love and involvement."

By 14, Gross realized that university soccer was a real possibility. Her TOFC coach, Carli Tingstad, also an assistant coach at UBCO at the time, introduced her to the idea early on. But at 15, she committed to Simon Fraser University – the only Canadian school competing in the NCAA.

"I wanted the experience of living away from home and playing in the NCAA," Gross said. "It seemed like the best of both worlds – close to home, but still a big challenge."

Her rookie season in 2021 was a whirlwind. Moving into the dorms in Burnaby, she immediately found herself competing at a high level. "It was terrifying playing my first game," she admitted. "But I put my head down, worked hard, and started every game that year. I scored my first goal in the playoffs against the number one seed, which was such a big moment." 

Despite her early success as a rookie, Gross realized something was not clicking. In January 2022, she made the tough decision to leave SFU. "I started to lose passion for the game," she said. "I had to figure out if I wanted to keep pursuing soccer or not." That reflection led her back to Kelowna. Gross reached out to UBCO head coach Craig Smith, who welcomed her onto the Heat roster.

"Coming back home and joining the Heat was the best decision I could have made," she said. "From day one, it felt like home. The coaching staff and the team gave me that community I was missing. They made me remember what it felt like to love the game again." That summer, she trained and played with her new teammates, rekindling her love for the sport. The connections she built made all the difference. "We were building something here," Gross said. "The bond we had translated onto the field."

The results spoke volumes, showing just how far the women's soccer team had come in only a few short years. In 2023, the Heat made the Canada West playoffs – a milestone Gross said was one of the highlights of her career. "People used to write us off," she said. "Now, teams see us as a real challenge. It's been amazing to be part of that growth."

Reflecting on her development since returning to Kelowna, Gross said her biggest growth has been in confidence. "After moving on from SFU, I had to rebuild my confidence. At UBCO, I've learned to control the game more and contribute both offensively and defensively," she said. 

Her growing confidence has shown on the field, as the midfielder has scored four goals over the past two years, including three in 2024. As a result of her play on both sides of the ball, as well as her leadership, Gross has twice been named the Heat's Team MVP (2022 and 2023) while also earning Canada West Second Team All-Star honours in both 2023 and 2024.

For Gross, the biggest lesson soccer has taught her is the power of community.

"It's okay to lean on other people," she said. "Knowing you're not alone makes all the difference. Enjoy the game and don't stress over every little detail."

As Gross prepares for her final season, she feels grateful to be finishing her career where it began.

"Being welcomed back with open arms has meant everything," she said. "Every year here has helped shape me into the person I am. To start my soccer journey in Kelowna and end it here – it is the perfect ending."