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Woodbridge Girls U12 Wins First Canada Cup Tournament

The first Canada Cup held on August 31-Setember 1/02 was a smashing success despite numerous setbacks brought on by the provincial strike in the Spring and the City of Toronto's strike in the Summer.

" We had beautiful  weather and two teams from as far as Venezuela (Nobles de Zamora boys U11 & U 15) who created some buzz on the tournament sites and provided  some great international competition" says tournament Chairperson Peter Ganesh.

I am delighted to extend my warmest geetings to all those participating in the Canada Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament and to welcome the international competitors to our country.

This event not only offers an opportunity for challenging and high-quality competition, but also provides a casual forum for exchanging ideas and forming new friendships between international athletes.  These factors combine to make events such as this a great source of enjoyment and entertainment for all.

Please accept my congratulations on the achievements that have brought you this far, as well as my best wishes in future competitions.

Jean Chretien

Prime Minister Of Canada

International championships as this one are the result of hard work and preparation. I want to recognize the organizers and volunteers for their efforts in making this event possible for more than 2,000 athletes from across Canada, the United States and Europe.

In qualifying to compete at the international level you have joined a select group who have achieved excellence in soccer. May this event be remembered not only for the excellent quality of play but also for the friendships made.

Please accept my best wishes for a memorable championship.

Ernie Eves, MPP

Premier of Ontario

I am delighted you have chosen to hold this event in Toronto, and welcome everyone to our great city.

Soccer is the most popular participation sport in the world, and is fast becoming the national pastime of our young people.  It is a sport that requires stamina, discipline,  commitment and teamwork, and all of you have exhibited these qualities and are to be commended for working hard to earn the right to play in this tournament. 

This weekend is also a perfect opportunity for you to renew old friendships or create new ones and, of course, have a good time.

Whether you are from Toronto or visiting for this tournament, I invite you to take time to explore the thriving neighbourhoods that reflect our tremendous cultural diversity, enjoy international cuisine, world-class entertainment and visit some of the many exciting attractions our unique and vibrant city has to offer.

On behalf of Toronto Council and the 2.5 million people of our great city, I congratulate everyone involved in organizing this exciting event.   

Good luck to all the teams, and best wishes for an enjoyable tournament and a wonderful stay in Toronto.  We're glad to have you here!

Cordially,

Mel Lastman, Mayor, City of Toronto

Dear friends in Soccer:

One of the main goal of The Canada Cup is to provide more international competition at the grass roots level for our Canadian soccer players. 

The main reason for this focus is because many studies have shown over the years that international competition at the grass roots level is one of the missing links in soccer development here in Canada.  

The First Canada Cup as you know was severely impacted by both the provincial strike in the spring and the city of Toronto's strike in the summer.  Despite the set backs caused by these two strikes, be assured that we are committed to having this tournament this summer.

So, on behalf of The Canada Cup Committee, volunteers and supporters, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the players, coaches managers and parents to The First Canada Cup Internationl Youth Soccer Tournament in Toronto on August 31-September 01/02.

Play hard, play fair, have a ton of fun and enjoy the thrill of participation at this international event.

Yours In Soccer,

Peter Ganesh,  Chairperson

Congratulations to all the champions, finalists and all the teams who participated.  All of you will forever be known as THE FIRST TEAMS to participate in The First Canada Cup. 

We look forward to seeing all of  you again.  

• Division - Girls U 12 

CHAMPIONS - Woodbridge Strikers -  (3-1) Woodbridge, Ontario

MVP - # 11 - Danielle Petti

Coach - Hoss Gitto

FINALIST  - Aurora Stingers - (Aurora, Ontario)

Coach - Jeremy Leader

• Division - Girls U 17

CHAMPIONS - Dixie Demons - (1-0)

Mississauga, Ontario

MVP- # 9 - Joyce Fung 

Coach - Adam Pytel

FINALIST -  Russell Raiders (Russell, Ontario)

Coach - David Klimas

Division - Boys U 12

CHAMPIONS - Markham Lighting - (4-1) 

Markham, Ontario

MVP - # 6 - Sherif El- Masri

Coach - Bethel Salis

FINALIST - Scarborough Blizzard Thunder -

Age U 11 ( East Toronto - Ontario)

Coach - Trevor Samuels

Division - Boys U 13

CHAMPIONS - C.S Azzuri - (1-1 Won in penalty shoot out 3-0) 

Coach - Vince Campea

FINALIST - Malvern Hurricanes ( East Toronto)

MVP - # 7 Randy Mohammed

Coach - Rosie Roberts

Division - Boys U 15

CHAMPIONS - North Scarborough SC Age 14 (2-0) Scarborough, Ontario

MVP - # 1 Dane Farrier 

Coach - Jeff Hackett

FINALIST - Nobles de Zamora Age 15  (Barinas, Venezuela)

Coach - Barera Orlando

Division - Boys U 17

CHAMPIONS - C.S Azzuri (0-0 *Won in penalty shoot out 3-2) Toronto, Ontario

MVP #1 - Victor Azeuedo

Coach - Rocco Panetta

FINALIST - Malvern Ruff Riders (East Toronto)

Coach - Cecil Wills 

Division - Boys U19 / Men's Open

CHAMPIONS - Vaughan Azzuri (2-2 *Won in penalty shoot out 3-2)

MVP - 

Coach - Angelo Policicchio

FINALIST - Dynamic Kickers (Brampton, Ontario)

Coach - Neil Palmer

Here are some negative and positive feed back on The Canada Cup. Please feel free to let us know what you think about The Canada Cup.

"We had a great time and a very successful tournament and I want to order 5 extra medals for our club house". 

Coach Vince Campea, CS Azzurri, Boys U14 Champions, Toronto.

"Peter, you did a great job.  We would have liked to be the champions but we lost in a penalty shoot-out as you know.  Don't cancel this tournament, we are going to be back to win it all the next time.  If you need any extra help, please call me".

Coach Neil Palmer, Dynamic Kickers, Men's Open finalist, Brampton.

"We enjoyed The Canada Cup and will be back for the next one".

Coach and President of Nobles De Zamora, Boys U11 and U15, Venezuela.

" I definitely want to bring my team back again.  If you need any help call me. You guys did a great job considering the work load, the pressure and all the setbacks caused by the City of Toronto's strike". 

Mac Dhillion, Coach Rexdale Boys U19, Toronto.

"Peter, you have to get better fields, more referees, change the date of the tournament to suit the schedules of the top teams and get more  sponsors".

O. Igho Natufe, Club Head Coach/Technical Director, GSA Hornets Soccer, Gloucester. 

"More international competition is what we need in this country at the grass roots level...charge more like the USA Cup if you have to...but get more reffs and better fields"  John Davis,  Montreal.

The 2003 tournament dates will be announced soon. The two date that we are considering presently are the 3rd weekend of June or the last weekend of August, which is the labour day weekend, the same date as the last years tournament.