We have just returned from South America and our job is done. It all began earlier this year and was carried out between Oct.13th and Oct.24th, 2008. This is undoubtedly another big step forward for our organization in order to demonstrate to the soccer organizations in our community and throughout Ontario that when organizations work seriously and honestly, they can help their young athletes achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
The group of 17 players who participated in this great experience, had a once in a lifetime opportunity of playing three exhibition games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and two in Montevideo, Uruguay. All of the games were played against the U-16 teams from various professional soccer clubs, as follows:
Argentina
- Club Atletico Independiente (Avellaneda): One of the most prestigious clubs in South America, is among the top clubs with the most international titles.
- Club Atletico River Plate: Again, among the most prestigious clubs in South America and one of the two biggest clubs in Argentina, with a great international prestige.
- Arsenal Futbol Club: first-division club in Argentina, winner of the South American Cup 2007.
Uruguay
- Club Nacional (Montevideo): One of the two biggest clubs in Uruguay, with a great reputation at an international level and one of the clubs with more international titles in history to represent South America.
It should be noted that both Uruguay and Argentina, not only have super competitive national leagues but also were among the countries that garnered the most professional soccer players transferred to prestigious European clubs.
This trip had several objectives including giving our young athletes the opportunity to compare their own competitive level against players of the same age. Players that are already part of professional soccer clubs who aspire in the medium term to reach the elite soccer world. It was also an opportunity to see first-hand the real world of professional soccer and what a difficult path it can be.
What is our conclusion from this experience?
"We achieved much more than the expectations we had before leaving"
Besides being, for our young athletes, a unique sporting experience - surely the most important one they have had in their lives - it was for many, the experience of a lifetime.
After all the effort that many have exerted to achieve something that took months of planning, we have the great pleasure, satisfaction and pride to be able to report the following:
- All our players showed an excellent competitive level when compared with players from both Argentina and Uruguay.
The Clarkson squad consisted of the following players:
Robin Azim, Lucas Cavallini, Lucas Di Domizio, Mark Dos Santos, Tristan Grant, Christopher Gregoire, Marcuse Khan, Nicholas Liakopoulos, Ian Nanco, Jon-Carlos Nunez, Jonathan Osorio, Anthony Papaterpos, Joshua Portillo, Ivan Skoko, Jordan Stoddart, Jake Sweetzer, Jaspreet Ubhi.
- The six players were selected by different clubs (mentioned above) to become part of their respective institutions - in the very near future: Lucas Cavallini, Tristan Grant, Johnathan Osorio, Anthony Papaterpos, Joshua Portillo, Jordan Stoddart.
The players selected will not be invited to participate and train for only 15 days (ie try-out), as we usually hear from organizations who set up these opportunities for their soccer players; some of those opportunities are nothing short of false opportunities only created to justify money spent. Instead, we have succeeded in ensuring that these players were offered opportunities lasting a minimum of one year. That amount of time will give our players time to adapt to their South American organizations, and thus be able to demonstrate, over time, their skills and quality of play. This will hopefully lead each of them to be able, in the future, earn a permanent place in professional soccer.
This achievement is mainly in thanks to the players, and especially the parents as these athletes, even before to our trip was planned, were involved in a program and training methodology planned by the Club where the team would train five times per week plus play a game once a week. The sacrifice to postpone many activities of social life, to understand that the training program is built to be consistent over time and not to expect next day results. It was this commitment and effort that everyone (parents, players and club leaders) adhered to that allowed this dream to become a reality.
For this achievement and special accomplishment, and for all of us at our club, we feel satisfied that we have done everything we intended and we've met (and perhaps exceeded) the expectations of all who were part of this project.
This undoubtedly continues to demonstrate that the Clarkson Sheridan Soccer Club has earned it's prestigious reputation in the soccer community throughout Ontario. Our club continues to work seriously and responsibly, without room for improvisation, in ambitious and honest work, where the sole beneficiaries are our young athletes.
This great experience is just the beginning. In the not to distant future other groups that represent our institution will also have the opportunity to participate in these major projects... and we will continue to work just as hard in order to achieve the same success as we have today.
Sincerely,
Juan Cruz Real
Technical Director
