Canada Kicking up the World Rankings
Posted by Canada - 21/04/2007
Canada will be kicking its way up the rankings this year at the Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen. The competition, skill, play and spirit on the pitch at this year’s tryouts were the best Canada has ever seen.
The Canadian National Homeless Street Soccer tryouts were held this past weekend in Toronto with three cities, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal sponsoring teams to come to the tournament. The City of Toronto John Innes Recreation Centre was host to the event where the Toronto homeless shelter soccer league foundation was set two years ago. Toronto lead the way with two teams, East and West, and the return of Mr. Hollywood – Elliot Clow - last years Homeless World Cup MVP goalkeeper - and Devon “I’m everywhere and solid” Snow as well as Hadi Mounshed. Toronto once again backed up their winning record with Toronto West taking the tournament. Calgary’s second year in the national tournament fielded a rock-solid team with returning former player, now coach Adam Vernon, coming to play. The men from the Calgary Drop In did their city proud with their strong defensive play. While it was the first year for the Montreal squad from the Old Brewery Mission the team came with vigor and verve. Montreal and their coaches fought strong and united and spirited their way to overall second place in the tournament. Selections for the Copenhagen bound Canadian National Team were made from all cities and the National Team will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with. The street soccer project and the formation of the National Team each year is a joint partnership between Street Soccer Canada and the City of Toronto’s John Innes recreation Centre. Thanks and all our gratitude to our uniform sponsor INARIA. Thank you also to Dick Howard, current TSN Analyst and former world class Canadian National Team goalkeeper, who captivated all the players in his closing rally about fair play and respect. To all the City of Toronto staff and who made this event possible over the long weekend we owe our heartfelt thanks. For their continued support we thank Citytv and the Toronto Star. Project contacts: Toronto John Innes Recreation Centre Manager – Rob Uddenberg Calgary Calgary Drop In Manager – Kevin Scullion Montreal Old Brewery Mission Manager – Jean Philippe Tremblay Team Canada and Street Soccer Canada Manager - Paul Gregory
Comments
Kat 21/04/2007
Congratulations on organising such a fantastic national tournament! Looking forward to seeing you all again. You can see one of Canada's wonderful players in the short film about Cape Town 2006 in the movie section :-)
Chris Marek 12/06/2007
Good luck to everyone going away this year. I was fortinate enough to be captain of the team that travelled to south africa last year and all I have to say is take in the experence! You should be proud to be Canadian. Play with your heart and everything eles will fall in place!
