By Dan Plouffe
It’s a day at the beach, but with a greater purpose than lounging around and soaking up some rays.
On top of the workout required to run in the sand chasing a ball, the Lose the Shoes II 3v3 beach soccer tournament will support the Ottawa Police Athletic League, a program run by the Ottawa Boys & Girls Club that opens up sport opportunities to 400 youth per year at no charge.
“Some of these kids don’t have the money to afford these competitive leagues nowadays,” notes organizer Julien Edwards, who operates Pro+ Soccer, a new soccer program focused on developing youths’ technical skills. “The idea behind it is to give all aspiring soccer players the chance to participate and train like a pro. You have to make sure everyone has the chance and you never know what could happen.”
The De La Salle high school grad – who grew up in Gloucester playing for the Hornets and then the Fury – is living a bit of the dream at the moment.
Capital City FC’s withdrawal from the Canadian Soccer League closed a door, but Edwards has instead spent time training with the Guyana men’s national team for their World Cup qualifier – an opportunity available thanks to his grandparents’ birthplace.
But Edwards is keen to get back to Mooney’s Bay beach for the June 16 event that he hopes to see grow in its second year.
On top of other fundraising initiatives, the tournament will collect a $20 fee per participant over age nine (which includes a hotdog, pop and team T-shirt) and give those funds to the Boys & Girls Club.
See proplussoccer.com for more information.