Alex Kemsley: From England’s Grassroots to Leading the Cougars

For Alex Kemsley, soccer or football, as he always calls it, has been a constant for as long as he can remember. Growing up in England, the game was not just a pastime; it was the backbone of his childhood.

"My dad was definitely very tactical on how he went about mine and my brother's childhood," Kemsley recalled with a grin. "Football, football, football. That was it. That was all we did."

Raised in a football-mad household and a supporter of Luton Town F.C., Kemsley's passion for the sport grew in tandem with his skills. By the time he was 16, he was competing in an academy setup, honing his game against high-level youth competition. That experience opened the door to a scholarship at a prestigious private sports school, a place known for its strong connections with universities across North America.

At first, moving overseas wasn't part of the plan. After completing his A-levels, Kemsley took a year off, working at a school and playing men's football in England's Step 5 division, a semi-professional level where, despite being far down the football pyramid, players were still earning good wages.

"It was tough as an 18-year-old," he admitted. "I was just getting bullied by grown men every weekend, throwing elbows at me. Coming here and playing against university kids again felt nice."

That year convinced him he needed to take his game abroad. With the help of an agency and a highlight reel posted online, Kemsley caught the attention of Mount Royal University head coach Ryan Gyaki.

"Ryan reminded me of a coach I had back home," Kemsley said. "I had offers from the USA, but Calgary just felt right. I'm very lucky I chose here."

Kemsley's introduction to Canada West soccer wasn't without its hiccups. Delayed by visa issues, he missed most of MRU's preseason in his rookie year. But just two games into the league schedule, he made his debut off the bench against UBC in a 1-0 win, then earned his first start the next day against Trinity Western, where he notched an assist in a 2-0 victory.

"That start against Trinity Western was huge for me," he said. "It felt like I'd finally gelled into the team and shown what I'm about."

From there, Kemsley cemented his place in the starting lineup, earning a Canada West Second Team All-Star nod in his first season. The Cougars went unbeaten in the regular season before falling to the University of Calgary in the conference semifinal.

His second season came with mixed emotions. Kemsley started the first nine matches before injury sidelined him during MRU's historic Canada West championship run. He returned in time to appear at Nationals, but the limited role left him hungry for more.

That hunger paid off in 2024. Staying injury-free for the entire campaign, Kemsley delivered his best season yet. He scored his first U SPORTS goal, a decisive header in a 1-0 win over Victoria, and became a constant threat on set pieces.

The Cougars' playoff run that year produced some unforgettable moments, including a last-minute semifinal win over Alberta that booked a return trip to Nationals.

"JJ scored in the last minute and the feeling was immense," Kemsley said. "Going back into the locker room, water bottles flying, boys screaming, the bus ride back was unreal."

Although the Cougars fell short in the Canada West final and at Nationals, the experience fueled Kemsley's ambitions for the year ahead.

Entering his fourth season, Kemsley was named team captain, a role he describes as both an honor and a responsibility.

"It's a real honor to be made captain of such an incredible program," he said. "But it doesn't mean anything yet. If we go on and win something, Canada West, Nationals, that's when the achievement really sinks in."

He also recognizes the leadership role extends beyond the pitch. With much of last season's veteran backline gone, Kemsley will anchor a younger defensive unit while helping integrate new recruits.

"Losing players like Ethan, Caden, Abel, Miguel and Dawid hurts," he said. "But we've brought in quality, and the replacements are already showing they're up to the task."

The 2025-26 Cougars will be a younger, high-energy side built on a strong midfield and experienced goalkeeping. Kemsley sees that as a strength rather than a weakness.

"We're a young team with a lot of energy to press opponents," he said. "Our core is strong, our midfield is solid, and we've still got an experienced keeper in Sjard Strauss. Despite losing five brilliant players, we've got enough quality to rebuild and go again this season."

The mission is clear: reclaim the Canada West title and make a deeper run at Nationals. For Kemsley, leading that charge would be the ultimate fulfillment of his captaincy.

"We've got to go one step further," he said. "Get our trophy back and show what we can do at Nationals. That's the goal."

From his first touches in England's youth academies to the captain's armband at MRU, Alex Kemsley's journey has been fueled by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering love for the game. This season, he'll look to add one more chapter, lifting a championship trophy as the leader of the Cougars.