BC Soccer honoured Powell River-raised Mark Cristante with the 2011 Adult Player of the Year Award at its recent Awards and Scholarship Celebration in Vancouver.
Cristante, a 28-year-old high school teacher in Victoria, received the award in recognition of his play with Gorge FC, based out of Saanich. As a defender Cristante helped take his team to a second place finish in the national championships, a second place finish in the Vancouver Island Soccer League and a first place finish in the first ever Pacific Cup, which pits Island teams against Fraser Valley Soccer League competitors.
Cristante said his success on the field comes from working hard and not being shy when getting into tackles or fighting for headers. He said that he doesn’t consider himself a “flashy player,” adding “I just like to get my nose dirty a little bit.”
“I was extremely surprised,” said Cristante. “I knew the award was out there but I never thought that I would have the honour of winning such an award.”
BC Soccer executive director Bjorn Osieck, in an email to the Peak, said that Cristante won the award in recognition of his outstanding achievements, including being an integral part of a back defensive four that “is probably the best that this league has ever seen.” He wrote that Cristante’s greatest strengths are his long diagonal balls from the back, his throw-ins and his leadership by example both on and off the field.
“Cristante was a very worthy recipient of this honor, as he exhibits the qualities that are valued in our soccer community,” said Osieck. “He is an exceptional player, very committed to his team, a great leader and a superb representative of the sport.”
Cristante said that growing up in Powell River gave him a great start in the sport. His family is into the sport in a big way and Cristante said that “ever since I could walk I was kicking a soccer ball.” The support for soccer in Powell River and the coaches and fellow players that influenced Cristante as he developed in the sport ignited his passion and helped him to grow as a player.
“There’s obviously good coaches and a good system that works in Powell River,” said Cristante. “For such a small town they produce very good athletes, and not only in soccer.”
Developing friendships and playing with a good group of people is Cristante’s favourite part of the sport. He said he has a lot of fun playing with Gorge and that he enjoys the high level of competitiveness and camaraderie. He said his teammates were thrilled about the award and that they, along with past coaches and others, deserve as much of the credit as his own accomplishments.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without all of those people and all the support that they’ve given me,” said Cristante.
