Alberta soccer announces award winners, new board

The Calgary Callies won the Alberta Soccer Association’s adidas Golden Shoe Award as the province’s team of the year. The Callies won the award after collecting yet another gold medal at the 2008 BMO National Championships. The Callies have now won the Challenge Trophy in the senior men’s club competition four of the last nine years.

The Callies were honoured at the Alberta Soccer Association Annual General Meeting. The event took place 16-18 January at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, AB. Other weekend award winners were referee Sal Romano for the Golden Whistle, volunteer Ivan Magdee for the Shield of Merit, Rob Savard for the Award of Merit, the Calgary Spirit Classics for the Fairplay award, Colin Innes for the President’s Award, Mike Traficante for the Life membership award, and outgoing ASA president Fred Kern for the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Callies won the 2008 Challenge Trophy after a 3:1 victory over Corfinium de St-Léonard in St. John’s, NL. It was the Callies’ second-straight victory and fourth since 1999. Team captain and former national youth player Nicky Reyes scored the opening in the final before Mark Slade and Steffen Holdt (penalty) scored to the Callies’ advantage.

Along with the annual awards recognition, the Alberta Soccer Association also selected its new Board of Directors. Of note, Chris Billings is the new President with Ole Jacobsen and Jeff duBerger acting as vice presidents. Outgoing president Fred Kern will serve in the role of Past President.