Canada’s Para Soccer team and its head coach, Powell River resident Drew Ferguson, headed home from Barcelona last week with a little extra metal in their suitcases. The 12-man team emerged victorious after sweeping a seven-a-side football tournament held over three days in the Catalonian capital.
The athletes rose to victory over four consecutive wins, beating Northern Ireland and Denmark on Friday, June 8, Netherlands on Saturday, June 9 and host team Catalonia on Sunday, June 10. Finland also competed in the, six-team tournament held at Camp de Futbol Agapito Fernandez.
“This was a great tournament and by far our best overall team effort,” said Ferguson of Sunday’s 8-3 victory. “This is the strongest team we have put together since the program began in 2005.” Canada won with a hat trick scored by Brendon McAdam, who was named player-of-the-match following the game. Fourteen-year-old Samuel Charron, Canada’s youngest player, was the tournament’s most valuable player.
The team’s roster features athletes from across the country with cerebral palsy, or who have suffered a stroke or a brain injury. Ages range from mid-teens to mid-40s. “The hard work on the recruiting side is showing dividends as the youngest players and senior players complimented each other very well on and off the pitch,” said Ferguson.
Canada’s next camp is scheduled to take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland this coming July. More information on Canada’s Para Soccer team can be found online.
