BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The girls of the Sudbury Panhellenic 1990
squad are showing the province their true competitive nature,
and at the same time, also showing the world they have big
hearts.
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The girls of the Sudbury
Panhellenic U-14 team and their coaches are proving
they're competitive and have big hearts. |
The team, which sports a record three wins
and five losses, sits tied for seventh spot in the ultra-tough
U-15 girls division.
The girls aren't just content fielding a
competitive team, but are helping others too.
The girls have recently teamed up with the
International Children's Awareness (ICA) organization to send
gently used soccer equipment to needy
kids in West Africa.
ICA's primary focus is on the provision of
safe drinking water systems supplying schools and medical
clinics.
Ed Smith, the ICA chair, indicated in a
letter, that the children love receiving soccer
equipment.
Team members turned their own houses upside
down to find equipment to donate, and came up with an
impressive haul of cleats, balls, shirts and shin pads.
They would like others to do the same.
Donations of gentle used soccer equipment can
be made Tuesday, July 26, at the Cambrian College Field at 10
am during the team's practice.
It was easy for the squad to make the
effort.
"When we realized people in Africa play
barefoot because they have no equipment, we all decided it was
time for us to do something," said captain
Dayna Corelli. "Our community has given us a
lot with our fundraisers, so we knew it was time to give
back.
"We had all this extra equipment lying around
our homes, so it was nothing to gather up. We're excited about
it and hope that some other kids will
enjoy the equipment."
As far as the rest of their season goes, the
team is hanging tough in, arguably, the best league in Canada.
Their record of 3-5, includes a victory over the defending
champion, Oshawa.
"I think the team has performed admirably so
far, especially against the tough southern competition" said
head coach Giuseppe Politi. "We are not in
the top of the province, but we are certainly
competing for a top-five spot."
Finishing top-five would be a huge boost for
the club, which finished a respectable sixth last season, its
first ever in the OYSL.
"Placing top-five would show we are among the
best teams in Ontario at this level, and, arguably, in Canada,"
said Politi. "We have beat the defending champions this season,
and are capable of more. Consistency has been a challenge. They
have the talent to compete, just some days it's on and some
days it's off."
The team has plenty of confidence. "Our team
works well together and we communicate great on and off the
field," said player Romina Cimino. "We are out to prove we are
not just the underdogs from last year, but we are trying to
excel at this level and make it to the top. To be playing in
this league is important to us and it's awesome."
Competing in the OYSL has deep benefits for
the players as they pursue soccer interests through life.
"If you want something in soccer, you have to
play in this league," said Politi. "This league opens up many
opportunities, whether it be in university or professional
soccer. You have to play the best to be the best. We have
already had five players try out for the provincial team, and
one player
(Dayna Corelli) made the team, and won a gold
medal at a recent national event. Playing in this league will
open big doors for these players."
The 1990 squad is back in action on July 30th
and 31st, when they host Dixie and Vaughn at the Cambrian
College Field. Game time for both matches
is 1 pm.
