Songhees Nations athletes have returned from the North American Indigenous Games as champions.
Team B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Under 16 soccer team B次元官网网址� which included Caleb Sam, Lukas Dick, Braden Nelson, Rayn Cook-Thomas B次元官网网址� captured gold during the games last month in Toronto.
B次元官网网址淲e were all super happy,B次元官网网址� said Sam, a defender. B次元官网网址�(The Games) were cool, it was something new for me.B次元官网网址�
The team had decisive victories in round robin play, defeating all three teams in the first pool, including the Northwest Territories 11-0, Ontario 7-0 and New York 4-0. In the semi-finals, the team took on Alberta and won 4-0.
Sam admitted for most of round-robin play, he hasnB次元官网网址檛 nervous performing on a large stage, but coming down to the gold-medal game was a different story.
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It was a nail-biting game, as Team B.C. scored 1-0 early against Saskatchewan. Despite the scorching heat and three-hour time change that had an impact on the young players, the squad was able to hold on to the lead and bring home gold.
B次元官网网址淚t was an intense game,B次元官网网址� said Sam, who will be entering Grade 10 at Esquimalt High in the fall and currently plays with the Gorge Soccer Association. B次元官网网址淚t was a little nerve-wracking because I was out there the whole game and didnB次元官网网址檛 want to get scored on.B次元官网网址�
In total, Team B.C. brought home 179 medals, including 67 gold, 58 silver and 54 bronze from the games, which is the largest continental sporting and cultural gathering of indigenous people.
