St. Mary's Academy, a K-12 school in Edmundston, launches its first soccer team in 15 years at the northern New Brunswick school, which draws children of various ages and nationalities, as new faces grow in the area It became a hot topic a few months ago.
And even after a busy soccer season, things aren't slowing down. The school is one of his 10 schools to win the Team Canada Olympic Day grant out of 840 applicants. And the futsal program has also started.
Kevin Topolniski, who coaches the soccer team, said the grant will allow the school to expand its program offerings and create a soccer-like program that will continue to engage students throughout the winter and be available to a wider age group of students. He said he was able to create.
Futsal began in February and lasted eight weeks, with students practicing every Saturday morning.
“The enthusiasm was overwhelming,” Topolnisky said. “Parents were talking about how their children were waking up early on Saturday mornings. [saying]”I have to go, I have to go.”
Kevin Topolniski, one of the soccer and futsal coaches, said the grant allowed the school to expand from soccer to futsal. (Radio Canada)
Futsal is a type of soccer, usually played on indoor courts. According to Futsal Canada, the sport's name comes from the Portuguese word “futebol de salão.”, This means “hall soccer”, and in Spanish “fútbol de salón” means “indoor soccer”.
clock | Marie, Olympic bronze medalistAve Noord plays several matches with enthusiastic students.
According to Futsal Canada, the sport's origins date back to 1930 in Uruguay, when an Argentine physical education teacher living in the country decided to play soccer (known as soccer in Canada) by forcing children to play soccer on a basketball court due to a lack of soccer fields. ).
Futsal is usually played on indoor courts using a ball similar to a soccer ball. (Radio Canada)
A futsal ball is a low-rebound ball that is smaller and heavier than an outdoor soccer ball.
Mr Topolniski said the grant was able to help the school purchase futsal balls, pinnies, shin pads, socks and shoes for children in need.
olympic inspiration
Earlier this week, futsal players and St. Mary's Academy students Mari St. Onge and Heaven Lasalina said they were feeling a mixture of sadness, nervousness and excitement.
Saint-Onge said she was sad because the futsal season ended recently, but was happy because as part of the school's grant, Olympic soccer players were to visit the school to play a few games with the students. Lazarina said there was some tension.
St. Mary's Academy students Mari St. Onge (left) and Heaven Lasalina played on the school's futsal team, which practices every Saturday. (Radio Canada)
Marie-Abe competed in the Olympics twice and won a bronze medal. Nolt visited the building Wednesday to meet with students and share her story.
Nolt said in an interview that he believed the grant was given to the school for the development of soccer.
Two-time Olympian and bronze medalist Marie-Ave Nott visited the school to meet students and share her story. (Radio Canada)
“They see kids wanting to play soccer and they're making it happen,” she says.
Topolniski said he thinks having Noord in the school will encourage more students to want to play soccer and futsal.
And he's already heard students talking in the hallways about wanting to try out for the soccer team.
“The whole school is excited,” he said. “Kids are like pop bottles that get shaken and you take the cap off.”
