The season ended a long time ago, but one minor soccer team is still trying to make a good showing.
The Harbour City Football Club’s Team France U8 boys are making one final push on the pitch to try to win the BMO Team of the Week championship.
The squad was picked as a Team of the Week winner this past June, one of just 15 teams selected from across Canada. Team France was selected not just for its play on the pitch, but also for its spirit, sportsmanship and community service.
“We’ve got a lot of passion, a lot of energy,” said Jazz Sohal, the squad’s coach. “The team just likes to have fun overall in anything they do.”
Players participated in fundraisers for Kids Help Phone and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“It’s important even in sports, that we keep in mind that thse children are growing as indivduals, and that we help promote growth both on and off the field,” Sohal said.
BMO organized a community celebration for Team France back in June, and since then Nanaimo has continued to support Les Bleus.
“The community has really embraced these kids as their own, so it’s been a really fun time,” Sohal said. “It’s been a good ride for them.”
The Team of the Week championship is being determined by an online vote. The side that amasses the most votes wins $125,000 to refurbish a local field, and since park improvements seem to be in the public mood in Nanaimo these days, there could still be a late surge of votes.
“Last year the team that won it came from behind to win it, and in the exact same week was very close to what position we’re in,” Sohal said.
Anyone is welcome to vote once per day after they have registered. To register to vote, please visit www.teamvi.ca.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com