Young athletes do Vaughan proud

Young athletes do Vaughan proud

Editorials

For the people of Vaughan, sports takes its rightful place on the main stage.

You’re just as likely to hear animated conversation around the city about how well this or that team fared, who’s coaching whom now and what kid just made the big leagues, as you would about who got the boot on Dancing With the Stars.

This week alone, the city will play host to six hundred players from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, all young men and women whose respective Under 18 soccer teams will vie for the prestigious 2008 Sony Cup at the national championships held at various venues throughout Vaughan.

All 16 teams are already cup winners, meaning they were the best in their age division provincial competitions.

But for Vaughan’s very own Sun Devils, this gutsy round robin tournament will be about more than unity and team spirit.

It marks the end of their last year together and it’s bound to be an emotional roller-coaster ride.

“We are hoping to go out with a bang and make it a crowning glory,” team manager Tony Segreti said.

Mr. Segreti, along with other dedicated volunteers such as coach Enzo D’Amario and assistant coach Bruno Baxa, watched many of these promising young athletes grow up, some of whom were only seven years old when they first started playing house league.

Now, some of the young Sun Devils are chasing sports scholarships in the United States while others are honing their soccer skills in countries such as Brazil.

None of this would be possible, of course, if not for the good chunk of time and money selflessly contributed by members of these not-for-profit soccer clubs so neighbourhood kids have the opportunity to be part of a team.

Mr. Segreti, Mr. Baxa, Mr. D’Amario and all the other volunteers perform a fine and valuable service in our community.

Thanks to them, our young athletes get a chance to actively participate in a wide variety of sports and learn about commitment, sportsmanship and perseverance.

As the 2008 Sony Cup kicks into full swing, we hope the Sun Devils remember that sports is about building community, too, not just about winning — although we sure hope they do!

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