Young Canucks discuss U-15 camp in Florida
Posted on 3 August 2010 in All Women's Teams
Canada’s youngest elite players are getting their first taste of the national program. The best female players born 1995 and 1996 - as young as 14 and 15 years old - are taking part in an 11-day camp in Sunrise, FL. The Canadian U-15 camp runs 30 July to 9 August under the supervision of coach David Benning."The creation of the U-15 program has allowed these players to experience the maturity level required to train and compete before they take that next step towards international competition," said coach Benning.
Coach Benning and his staff selected players from across the country, identifying players at the National Training Centres and events like the BMO National Championships Nutrilite All Stars. In fact, 348 different players took part in the last two U-14 Girls select competitions at Laval 2009 and St. John’s 2010.
"It’s an honour to play for Canada," said centre midfielder Nicole Lindsay of Edmonton SE Storm in Edmonton, AB. "There are no words to express how grateful I am to the people here giving me a chance to show what I have."
The team has already had a few days under its belt, with training sessions in both the morning and afternoon each day. The girls have made it through the introductions and are now teammates on an off the field. Each girl has brought her own personality and set of skills to the camp.
The camp is also providing ample opportunity for the players to learn from the staff and to learn from their peers.
"I am learning to work on my confidence on the field, but that will improve as the camp goes on," said midfielder Emma Fletcher of Gordon Head in Victoria, BC. "It’s been such a great learning experience."
"I like how I am learning new things and will be able to take them back to my club, my provincial team, and my National Training Centre team," said left back Emily Nickerson of Valley United in Halifax, NS.
During the second part of the camp, Canada’s women’s U-15 team will take part in three exhibition matches against local clubs. The three local clubs are Plantation U-16 (4 August), Boca Rotan U-18 (6 August) and Florida Night Rush (8 August).
