Eleven.
That’s how many soccer players from Pinnacles FC make up the Zone 2 Thompson Okanagan under-15 rosters, 36 total, for the 2016 Abbotsford B.C. Summer Games.
On the boys team are Christian Martens, Carter Edwards, Austin Afonso, Yan Peron, Ryan Peters and Levi Biron. For the girls it is Allyn Deakin, Vanessa Edis, Kalli Doell, Mckenna Clarke and Renee Chernoff.
When Edis got the news she ran around her house telling her family.
“It’s exciting. I’m excited to play with new people and a new team and to play in the level of the BC Summer Games,” said Edis, a centre defender who also played for the Mustangs.
Edis likes a challenge and wants to see how hard she can compete against others who she said are probably better than her. Edis said going to the Games, held July 21-24, with four other Pinnacles FC members will be good and will grow a bond between them. Deakin said in the past two practices she has already noticed them communicate more.
“I definitely think it will help,” she answered of having five Pinnacles on the team.
Deakin can’t wait for the Games to get started.
“I’m definitely looking forward to competing at a higher level. I think that not that many people get that opportunity,” she said.
Edwards sees making the team as a great thing to be able to play with the best players in the Thompson Okanagan.
“It’s going to be a great experience,” he said.
Tryouts involved working on a lot of technical skills and playing games.
“I came in pretty confident. I think that helped a lot,” said Edwards, who had hopes of making the team when he found out he was age-eligible to play.
Edwards plays with speed, defends well and communicates with his teammates. Playing against the best in the province excites him.
Ezra Cremers, head coach and executive director of Pinnacles FC, picked the players from the club he felt should represent them at the B.C. Summer evaluations. He was very happy that 11 of the 12 made it.
“I think it just shows that we’re developing players here. We’re just happy for them,” said Cremers. “These are players that take their football development quite serious. The fact that they are representing the region at summer games is a good accolade that they deserve.”
The girls team also features eight players from Kelowna, four from Vernon and one from Kamloops. The boys team includes three players from Kamloops and nine from Kelowna.
