From Porto to St. John's, soccer players are learning from a European powerhouse
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CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Young Feildians players took to pitch to train with Portuguese soccer professionals
This isn't your average summer soccer camp. Young soccer players from the Feildians Athletic Association Athletic Association had the chance of a lifetime this week in St. John's, training with elite Portuguese professional soccer club FC Porto as part of its Dragon Force World Camp series. Anticipation for the camp built quickly. Open to Feildians club players, registrations filled up in just 25 minutes, said Feildians coach Sipho Sibiya. "We want to be able to put Newfoundland on the map, especially Feildians Athletic Association, where I'm a part of now," he told CBC News. WATCH | Two young players are getting the chance to train in Portugal: From Porto to St. John's, soccer players are learning from a European powerhouse 20 hours ago FC Porto is a name synonymous with winning in European soccer, and this week players in St. John's got the chance to learn from the best. As the CBC's Madison Taylor reports, two young players are even getting the chance to travel to Portugal for an unforgettable training opportunity. Running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for five days, the players spent the week doing training drills, developing skills and playing games. Two players, William Coughlan and Georgia Cavanagh, have been selected to attend an all-expenses-paid trip to Portugal and train with FC Porto's Youth Academy. Building on history FC Porto's visit to St. John's builds on a long history between Portugal and Newfoundland. Portuguese fishermen who fished on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland were known to play soccer, or futebal, by the St. John's harbour. "Now that I've known the history that Portugal's had with Newfoundland, it's even a greater collaboration to tie that piece together as well," said Sibiya. World Camp coach Guilherme Silva said he's enjoying what the St. John's community has to offer and is interested in the history between the two places. "I've been enjoying it a lot. The culture here — people are really humble," said Silva. "I've been enjoying a lot, working with these people and getting to know the culture itself." 'An entire new perspective on soccer' For the young players, it's been a week of development and a chance to experience a different type of training. "They gave us a new opportunity, and like, an entire new perspective of soccer, you know?" said 11-year-old Alin Ahmad. The opportunity to train abroad is an exciting one for the players, especially those with aspirations to play professionally. "If you could ask one of them, they would tell you they want to play pro," said Sibiya. Sibiya hopes the players chosen for FC Porto's Youth Academy will learn a lot, both on and off the pitch. "I just hope they get the sense of what training is about. You know, the training being day-to-day, eating with the players, getting the coaching that they would get in a pro level." "And just to see what the culture is like," said Sibiya. "Portuguese culture or just football and the culture — it's a way of life over there." Declan Stokes, 10, is already looking forward to the camp returning in the future. "I hope Porto will come back next year to do it again."
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
Montreal Roses snap AFC Toronto's 5-game win streak
Social Sharing Latifah Abdu and Megane Sauve each scored a goal to lift Montreal Roses FC past AFC Toronto 2-1 in a battle between two top Northern Super League teams Friday in Toronto. Abdu, a 23-year-old from Montreal who has one senior international cap with Canada, pounced on a loose ball in the box to give Montreal (6-3-3) a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. Roses co-captain Sauve doubled the lead in the 69th with her first in the NSL when she smashed a curling shot from outside the box into the net. Victoria Pickett cut into the lead in the 78th minute, floating a shot from well outside the box over the arms of keeper Anna Karpenko for Toronto (8-4-1) at York Lions Stadium. WATCH | Montreal Roses snap AFC Toronto's 5-game win streak: Waiting for the World Cup 1 month ago With the 2026 World Cup now one year away, CBC Sports' Chris Jones examines it's impact and what it will mean to Canada in this video essay. Second-place Montreal now has 21 points in the NSL standings and trails Toronto by only four with one fewer game played. The two sides split their previous two meetings. Montreal defeated Toronto on the road in the first fixture for both franchises April 19 at BMO Field. Toronto then handed Montreal a 2-0 loss at Stade Boreale on May 22. Next up, Toronto visits Vancouver Rise FC on Thursday and Montreal hosts Calgary Wild FC on July 26.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Residents in Almonte, Ont. displaying soccer balls in memory of 9-year-old boy
People in Almonte are putting soccer balls outside homes in memory of Archer Lowe, who was hit by a bus while on his bike. CTV's Dylan Dyson reports. In a town known for its basketball heritage, soccer balls can be seen in every corner of Almonte. The balls have been placed on front steps and in windows is memory of Archer Lowe, a nine-year-old boy with a passion for soccer, who was tragically killed in June while riding his bike home from school. The tribute mirrors the 'sticks out' movement from 2018, following the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Almonte soccer balls Soccer balls on display in the front window of Baker Bob's on Mill Street in Almonte, Ont. in memory of 9-year-old Archer Lowe. July 18, 2025. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa) Danielle Spearman owns the Rustic Town Barbershop on Mill Street, Almonte's main drag, and decided to display a ball in her shop's front window, as she doesn't live in the town. 'The community is definitely there for them, and I hope they know that,' says Spearman. She tells CTV News Ottawa that she sympathizes with the Lowe family, having suffered a similar tragedy in her family. 'My niece was killed at the age of nine on her bike as well, but it's a totally different situation than here. So, I've seen what my family went through, and as well, I drove a school bus for 14 years.' The community has been rocked by the accident. Lowe was hit just two days before the school summer break and many people witnessed the incident, as school was letting out for the day. 'It was a devastating day for our community. It still is,' says Sarah O'Grady, at Mill Street Books. 'But it's just one way for us to band together and support each other.' O'Grady says she didn't personally know the Lowe family but is touched by the soccer balls on display and the show of support the entire community has given. 'It's just such a subtle way to show that we care. This community is such a loving, giving community, that it was such an easy thing to do. But it's so impactful.' Shortly after the incident, a soccer club from Smiths Falls donated many soccer balls to the Almonte branch of the Mississippi Mills library. They have been available to the public for free for anyone wanting to display one. As of Friday afternoon, there was just one left available. 'I feel like it's the least I could do,' said Jim Santry, who placed a soccer ball on his front lawn for Archer. 'The whole town was devastated at what happened. Not just the family of the young boy, but also everybody that saw it.' In a tight-knit community such as Almonte, Spearman believes it will be an impact that is felt for some time to come. 'Never have I seen such a supportive town where everyone comes together and tries to be there for the community,' Spearman says.
