Nursing alumna represents Canada in FIFA World Cup
USask alumna Jade Houmphanh competed in 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines.
While many students juggle school and part-time work, University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing alumna Jade Houmphanh (BSN’25) spent her undergraduate degree years balancing a busy nursing course load while training, travelling, and competing as a Huskie student-athlete.
That balancing act ultimately took her far beyond campus, leading to an opportunity to represent Canada at the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup – the five-player indoor version of soccer – in the Philippines in November 2025.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” said Houmphanh.
“If you told me at the start of the year that I’d be playing for Team Canada and going to the World Cup, I would’ve said you were crazy.”
Houmphanh is a recent USask graduate, completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in spring 2025.
She looks back fondly on her time at USask.
She appreciated being exposed to many different nursing specialities during her clinical placements, which helped her determine the path she wanted to follow.
Just as memorable, were the relationships she built.
“Nursing school gave me some of my closest friends, who continue to be a key support system in my life.”
Houmphanh appreciated that USask allowed her to continue her athletic pursuits at a highly competitive level, while working toward her nursing degree.
“It gave me the chance to pursue both my passions without having to choose between them,” she said.
Houmphanh’s time as a Huskie athlete taught her lessons in discipline, organization, and communication.
“It taught me how to thrive in a demanding and fast-paced environment,” said Houmphanh.
To manage both athletics and academics, she became proactive in communicating with professors and clinical co-ordinators, particularly when planning around competitions or travel.
“By working collaboratively with those involved with the BSN program and Huskie Athletics, I was able to align my commitments, avoid conflicts, and create the support I needed to reach my full potential.”
Time management became second nature.
She often squeezed study sessions between practices and dedicated her weekends to staying ahead.
Her efforts paid off as she was named a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian three times, an honour awarded to student-athletes who maintain an 80 percent or higher academic average.
“I’m proud of it, as it reflects the dedication I put into both my studies and my sport,” she said.
Her journey to the international stage was fast-paced and unexpected.
The Canadian Women’s National Futsal team was formed just 10 months before the World Cup.
“It was a journey filled with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice from the players and staff,” said Houmphanh.
“I remember making multiple trips to Montreal to train with the team, while also finishing my preceptorship and studying for the national nursing licensing exam. Looking back, it was all worth it.”
Houmphanh credits Huskie women’s soccer head coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton, her teammates, and the Saskatchewan soccer community for helping her prepare.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of history,” she said.
“To represent not just Canada, but Saskatchewan, was an incredible honour.”
While she remains open to future professional soccer opportunities, her focus for now is on her nursing career.
This past summer Houmphanh started at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon and is looking forward to developing her career as a registered nurse.