Five young soccer players are walking on air thanks to a scout's decision to pick them to represent BC at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
Gail Joseph, 18, her 13-year-old sister Vivian, their 13-year-old niece Kayla Buckley, 14-year old Frances Baker and 15-year old Eli Reimer will be going to Denver in July. The five will join 17 other girls chosen during tryouts in Chilliwack in late October.
"I was very surprised, excited and happy," said Gail. "I didn't think that I would actually make it because a lot of the other girls where very skilled."
More tan 30 girls tried out and the local teens made the cut despite having no formal training.
Each girl began playing league soccer at the age of five, and in the summer they'd play with the North Shore Indians Co-ed team in First Nations tournaments where each girl received allstar awards.
"I'd say that I taught myself what I know about soccer," said Gail. "And I've watched and played with older teams that are more skilled and challenging."
Scouts have attempted to lure the Joseph girls to rep teams in the past, but they always stayed loyal to the Howe Sound Soccer League. And even with years of tournaments under their belts, the girls are giddy about the NAIG.
"I am looking forward to just being there and seeing the many different nations gathering," said Gail. "The last NAIG I didn't get to go to and my team won the Gold medal. I'm going to go for the gold and I hope my sister and niece feel the same way because they are really good players." [email protected]
