What started as a fun pastime has turned the opportunity of a lifetime for one local athlete.
The 2020 Alberta Winter Games U13 Futsal team, which is similar to indoor soccer, will feature Bonnyville-native Connor McConnell.
The 11-year-old went up against some of the best in the province in his age group, and was chosen to be part of the team.
“I was at school when I heard, so I just told everybody,” the mid-fielder recalled.
Melissa Laite, McConnell’s mom, said, “We were very happy and proud when we found out. I told Connor from the very beginning ‘this is just a tryout, if you don’t make it, it’s not a big deal. We’ll move on and try again next time.’ But, then I got the phone call and I thought other kids would have made it too. He was the only one.”
McConnell’s skills on the field hasn’t gone unnoticed. Playing with the Bonnyville Minor Soccer Association, he’s used to hitting the field with an older age group.
“They used to be able to bump them up if they were a bit more advanced, but a new rule this year... (stated) they had to stay with their own group, which I understand, and now they can shine a little bit more,” explained Laite.
While McConnell was disappointed none of his fellow Bonnyville players made the team, he’s excited to step onto the pitch for training.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, probably a lot of them, and learning a lot of new things about soccer,” he told the Nouvelle.
McConnell became interested in soccer at a young age, kicking the ball around when he was only three-years-old. He officially joined his first team at the age of six, and typically plays in two leagues over the summer, one locally and the other in Newfoundland when he goes to visit family.
“I play really hard and I never give up, even if we lose,” he noted.
Seeing her son’s progress over the years has been a highlight for Laite.
“Honestly, I didn’t realize it for a bit. You just kind of watch, and hope for the best. I was actually watching a video with my camera from when he first started playing when he was six when I realized how good he is. I looked back at them, and I thought ‘geez, he was pretty good back then.’”
McConnell’s love for the sport runs in the family. His grandfather also played, and even went to college with a scholarship thanks to his skills on the field.
The young soccer player has high hopes for himself in the sport, and wants to one day play professionally.
The 2020 Alberta Winter Games are taking place in Airdrie from Feb. 14 to 17. The games will bring athletes together from across the province to compete in sports such as figure skating, hockey, fencing, curling, ringette, volleyball, and wrestling.
