Natl Comps in PrAlbert and Surrey Start Tomorrow

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http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=1808

National Championships

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Battle of the Provinces Begins Tomorrow

Ottawa, Ontario – The battle for provincial soccer supremacy takes to the pitch tomorrow at the 2004 National All Star Competitions co-hosted by Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and Surrey, British Columbia. The competition will see 650 players from across the country compete from Wednesday, July 21 until Sunday, July 25th in four categories: Boys Under-14, Boys Under-16, Girls Under-14, and Girls Under-16.

Where seeding is based on last year’s performance, Quebec (U-14) and Alberta (U-16) will defend their national women’s titles at Prime Minister’s Park and Kinsmen Park in Prince Albert, SK, while Ontario (U14) and Quebec (U-16) will defend their national male titles at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, BC

Scouts are expected to observe the All Stars as the players selected are considered the best in their province.

“Scouts would be particularly interested in the U-14’s as it will be a first opportunity to see these players,” said Angus Barrett, CSA Board of Director for Competitions. “The All Stars have produced many national players in the past.”

Ten female players from last year’s All Stars: Josée Belanger (Coaticook, QC), Amanda Cicchini (Oakville, ON), Selenia Iachelli (Edmonton, AB), Aysha Jamani (Calgary, AB), Stephanie Labbe (Stoney Plain, AB), Justine Labrecque (Laval, QC), Marie-Emilie Perreault Morier (St-Hilaire, QC), Sari Raber (Richmond, BC), Caroline Vanderpool (Montreal, QC), and Emily Zurrer (Crofton, BC) have already made their mark with the Canadian Women’s Under-19 Team which earned first place in the recent CONCACAF Women’s U-19 Qualifications and a berth to the FIFA Women’s U-19 World Championships in Thailand.

Male players who played in last year’s All Stars and have represented Canada on the Junior (U-17) Team at the 2003 CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, BC are: Asmir Begovic, (Edmonton, AB), Myles Davis (Delta, BC), Trevor Delpippo (Courtice, ON), Roberto Giacomi (Richmond Hill, ON), Andrew Hainault (Hudson, QB), Andrea Lombardo (Toronto, ON), Brad Peetoom (Abbotsford, BC), Derek Rios (Toronto, ON), Tyler Rosenlund (Burnaby, BC), and Gabriel Seguin-Gauthier (Chateauguay, QB).

The All Stars also provide the provinces an opportunity to send “up and coming” officials to gain experience at a major competition.

For directions and information on the All Stars please visit:

U14/U16 Girls - www.allstarnationals.com

U14/U16 Boys - www.bcsoccer.net