Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer are proud to support the Surrey 2012 BC Summer Games. Competition and festivities run from today, July 19 through to Sunday, July 22 at venues throughout Surrey. All soccer competition will be held at Newton Athletic Park which has hosted many ‘Caps Residency and Women’s matches, as well as camps and tournaments throughout the year.
Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer will be providing unique opportunities for those participating in this year’s soccer competition. Soccer coaches and two players from each of the 16 boys and girls teams will have the opportunity to participate in a special training session on the “Whitecaps FC Way” led by Whitecaps FC coaching staff on August 11. Following the session, the coaches and players will attend the ‘Caps match versus FC Dallas at BC Place.
In addition, BC Soccer is coordinating the assignment of all match officials for the soccer tournament and is using the matches as an opportunity for match officials to be assessed as part of the BC Soccer referee development program.
Members from BC Soccer and Whitecaps FC will also attend various Games events, and Carl Valentine, Whitecaps FC club ambassador and ‘Caps players will participate in the soccer awards presentations on Sunday.
This year, eight players from the ‘Caps U-14 Pre-Academy Residency program will compete in the BC Summer Games. These players include Nikolas White (Zone 3), Trevor Schneider (Zone 3), Filip Rakic (Zone 4), Alessandro Hojabrpour (Zone 4), Nikolas Papakyriakopoulos (Zone 4), Dusan Mitrovic (Zone 4), Michael Baldisimo (Zone 4), Tristan Torresan (Zone 5).
There are also players who have previously participated in the BC Summer Games who are now members of Whitecaps FC’s Residency Program. These players include Spencer DeBoice and Daniel Stanese who were on the gold medal team from Zone 3 and Carlos Marquez who was on the Zone 4 silver medal winning team, all in 2006, and Alex Comsia, who won the silver medal with Zone 5 in 2008.
“On behalf of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer, we wish all the athletes, coaches, officials, and event organizers the best of luck at this year’s BC Summer Games,” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development. “The BC Summer Games are a great opportunity for ‘Caps Residency players and up and coming soccer stars – who are striving to reach the next level – to compete at a high level within the province.”
“BC Soccer and Whitecaps FC are proud to be able to support the BC Summer Games. Sport plays a vital role in any community and can be a catalyst for change, providing many positive benefits and opportunities for members of a community,” said Roger Barnes, President of BC Soccer. “We are sure that all participants in these games will be provided with a memorable experience by the City of Surrey.”
The BC Summer Games is one of the largest multi-sport Games in BC and Canada. The Games bring together young athletes from around the province every two years. While providing a competitive environment for approximately 2,800 athletes, 575 coaches, and 400 officials, the Games strive to support the development of all participants as they move to higher levels of competition.
Sports played at the Summer Games include athletics, baseball, basketball, canoeing/kayaking, diving, equestrian, golf, inline hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, synchronized swimming, towed water sports, triathlon, volleyball, and wrestling.
