SPORTS

Mount Pearl Soccer Team Heads to Nationals
by C.G., St. John's NF

Thrilled. That's how I describe the feelings of players and coaches on the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Soccer Championship Team - Mount Pearl. During October 3-9th the team will compete for the Canadian Minor Soccer Championship title against provincial teams from across Canada. The tournament takes place in Etobicoke, Ontario

Photos: SchoolNet News Network
Sunshine, rain or fog, the game must go on!

The Mount Pearl team's last competition was the Newfoundland and Labrador 2000 Summer Games held in that city. Although the team placed third for the bronze, they did not let their spirits get down. The team refocussed and have been training very hard putting their energy into preparing for this event.

While the team is enthusiastic about competing in the nationals, getting there hasn't been easy. Fundraising efforts have been underway by team members and their families such as car washes, bake sales, ticket draws, vegetable hampers, etc. to try and raise money for the team. In speaking with team member, Andrew Gosse, he said, "All the families have been very active in helping us out. They were determined to raise funds to get us to Ontario".

Money for amateur sporting events is limited and corporate sponsorships are difficult to come by. Thankfully the Mount Pearl Soccer Organization was able to provide the team with $6,000. This past week, the Mount Pearl team was presented with a sponsorship cheque ($5,000) by Minister Judy Bettney on behalf of the provincial government.

Next week, the team takes off to Etobicoke. I asked Coach Welcher what the team's chances were in winning or placing in the Canadian Championship. He stated that it is difficult to say at this time; however, the first section of the games will tell a lot about the outcome. In the end, though the coach said he wants to his team to do their best and enjoy the experience of being there.

"It is an experience of a lifetime for these young boys", said coach Bruce Welcher. "We are all estastic about travelling to Etobicoke and competiting with other teams". Two of the teams players participated in the Canadian championship last year but for the rest, this will be a new experience.

The Team
Mount Pearl B-U-15 "A" Soccer Team

Coach: Bruce Welcher Asst. Coach: Herb Jenkins

Team Members Brian Carroll Will Dray Andrew Gosse Shawn Haye Jon Howard Gerald Manning Bert Nash Matthew Patey Stephen Penney Andrew Shapter Tyler Somerton Trevor Thorne Wes Welcher Bryant White Ryan Williams Andrew Young