GLOUCESTER HORNETS U11 PLAYER TO PLAY IN SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP 2010 Are you surprised? 10 young local soccer players (including a Gloucester U11 Premier Player) are about to embark on an experience of a lifetime. They will be representing their school and Canada in the inaugural International French Schools World Cup (FSWC at www.scolafrance.info/foot2010/index.php), a Mini-field World Cup with 26 countries representing four continents. The Ottawa players, eight boys and two girls, attend Lycée Claudel school in Ottawa, and are in grade five and grade six. The tournament will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from June 21 to June 27, during the World Cup. The students will participate in multiple activities over 7 full days, all of which will fulfill one of three objectives: sporting, cultural and educational.

From a sporting perspective, each team will play a minimum of four games before advancing to knockout rounds. A total of 100 matches will be played. The Lycée Claudel team will also be attending at least two World Cup games in Johannesburg, Spain vs. Honduras and Germany vs. Ghana. To experience World Cup final games live in huge stadiums including the new Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg will be a dream come true for any soccer fan. The students will also meet a national soccer team of the FIFA World Cup, and be inspired by an internationally-renowned player.

The field of sport becomes a backdrop for the cultural exchange. Where else could youths from Casablanca, Douala, Kuala Lumpur, Maputo, Oslo, Ottawa and Soweto all speak the same language to each other – that of soccer. Students from around the world are sharing a common bond, their passion for the game, while being exposed to cultural and social diversity. They are being billeted by families in Johannesburg, they have exchanged profiles of themselves, they will be talking about their own country at the World Cup village, and will hopefully continue their dialogue with their new friends from different continents, after they return home.

The students at the Lycée have also been studying South African history from Apartheid to the birth of the Rainbow Nation and will be privy to a personal tour of Soweto. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the students have been studying civil, economic, social and cultural rights of the child, and how they differ in different countries. They will participate in a full day debate in an International Youth Parliament.

To enhance their South African experience, the Lycée Claudel team has been collecting “gently used soccer equipment”.  Collection is still ongoing and Hornets players and teams are encouraged to participate.  The team will meet with children in Soweto and provide them with the equipment and uniforms. It will be a moment that the Ottawa kids will never forget.

The students about to embark on this trip of a lifetime experience are: Maxime Nectoux (Gloucester Hornets), Braxton Lagarec, Julia Hassard, Alexandre Dinh, Liam Harb, Loic Bramley, Catherine Guevin-Nicoloff, Matteo Cantave, Maxime Gioakas-Perusse, and Marcello Britto.

They represent Gloucester Hornets, Ottawa Internationals, Ottawa Fury, OSU and Hull soccer clubs. The team is coached by Gilles Boumard, Athletic Director at Lycée Claudel. They leave June 19 and will be back June 28. You can follow their adventures on their blog at Claudel2010.wordpress.com. This may not be the real World Cup but it surely feels like it … And our own Maxime Nectoux will be there!

During the recent Mother’s Day weekend the Hornets BU17L3 team represented our Club at the West Niagara Falls invitation Tournament.

Ice in veins:

One memorable moment was an 8-7 semi-final shootout victory where all of our eight players shooting from the penalty spot were successful.

Another interesting highlight was an unusual pass to self:

You may recall the windstorm that hit southern Ontario that weekend. One of our boys struck the ball with plenty of power in a crossing attempt. The ball sailed 25-30 meters before the wind returned the ball to its starting spot. The same player made a clean reception and continued the attack dribbling in the zone that had just been vacated by the defenders who were decoyed by that stroke. Had that scene been filmed, it would be a youtube favourite.

Our boys became the first Hornets team to wear the new club uniforms and earn a medal in a tournament.

The Hornets BU17L3 squad earned the silver medal even though they were playing in a higher age group (BU18L3).

Throughout the weekend, the weather conditions were nasty (windy, rainy and very cold). The initial disappointment after the final game was appeased during the end-of-tournament ceremony; while our boys were accepting the silver plaques, coincidently, the sky brightened modestly to place a silver lining in the clouds.

Congratulations boys!

Patrick Steski is the winner of a 2010 World Cup ball that was raffled off at our Adidas/Houle Sports opening night!

WOW – what a turn out at our first Adidas / Houle club wear night.

This was so well received, we will be looking to have a few more events this summer.   We have asked Adidas for an equipment day at the nest once we get onto our fields.  Check back often for updates!

Hornets U11 and U12 Boys crowned Ottawa Coliseum Indoor Champions for 2010

Following the example of the stellar season of U11 Boys, the U12 Boys completed the Coliseum season undefeated, posting a record of 13 wins, 2 draws and 0 loss. The season was all the most impressive considering the team was made up of a mix of U11 Boys (who also won their division) and U12 Boys, finishing with a Goal difference of + 65 goals.

Both playoff games were intense games with the Gloucester Boys coming back from behind to win the game against OSU Power 98 and OSU Force 99.

Over the course of the indoor season, the boys made an incredible impression on the coaching staff, parents and spectators for the quality of football they displayed, game after game. Coaching staff expresses gratitude to all the parents and wishes enduring success to the Boys.

2010 Coliseum Indoor Champions – U12 Boys

Players: Nicholas A., Jimi A., Abdiel B., Sam C., Raphaël G., Matthieus H., Simon L., Maxime N., Joel P., Kareem S, Zachary T.

Coaches: Ibrahima Sow, Nick Leblanc

Congratulations and Joga Bonito!!!!!