Andy King is about to deliver on his promise – in a big way.
The Squamish United U18 Girls rep soccer team coach told his players in April 2014 that if they won the Division 1 title in the BC Coastal Girls Soccer League, he’d take them on a trip to England as a reward.
After months of practice, hard work and success on the pitch, the girls won their division with a record of eight wins, one loss and one draw and are getting set to pack their bags this March.
It’s not the first time that King has taken a team across the pond, as he previously took a boys team across the pond back in 2005.
Now the team is looking to the community to help out and donate funds to help every player experience England.
“It’s great that I have the chance to do this again,” King said. “Many remember the last time we did it, and the boys are all successful young adults now and they still tell me they will never forget that trip.”
King and the team are soliciting businesses to buy ad space on a poster of the team that will be distributed throughout the community. He said the girls will be visiting local businesses in the coming weeks, but people can also donate directly by contacting him at sysa.strikers@gmail.com.
It’s the final year of coaching for King and he said it’s been a blast. He’s spent 16 years coaching in Squamish and said it’s going to be surreal to be off the field.
“I’ve already got friends saying, ‘Andy we’re going to give you a year off by then you have to come back,’” he said, laughing. “I dread to think what it’s going to be like that last game because I love soccer, Canada and Squamish so much. Soccer is what kept me here because you commit to the kids and you want to teach them and make them love the sport.”
King moved to Canada from England 18 years ago and said he has a fun trip planned for the team. They will suit up for at least two games, attend a Premier League game in Manchester and see a lot of what England has to offer.
He said he hopes local business and Squamish residents can help them make the trip a reality.
“These young women have demonstrated eight months of amazing commitment and dedication to achieving their goal – please help them get the rest of the way,” he said.
The trip sees the team depart Vancouver on March 29 and return on April 7. He said many of the girls are posting blogs of the trip and will be updating social media with pictures and other moments from the trip.
For more information on local soccer, visit www.squamishsoccer.ca.
