Three Kamloops soccer friends competing at BC Summer Games

Jul 20, 2016 | 12:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — Tim Othymburu, Denzel Marican and Gio Trotta have been playing soccer together in Kamloops since they were 5 years old, and now they are travelling to Abbotsford together, representing the Thompson-Okanagan in the BC Summer Games. 

“It’s been really amazing to see what we’ve all become from being just little kids and growing up to play in these important games like this,” says Marican, a U-15 rep soccer player in Kamloops. “It’s been fun playing with them through all the years.”

The boys do everything together, on and off the pitch, and will begin another chapter in their journey on Friday, their first game at the BC Summer Games. 

“I think it’s really exciting to be representing Kamloops in such a big event, and just be playing with some of the best players in the whole region and some of the best players in all of B.C.,” says Marican. 

The boys, who played on a U-15 rep team in the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association, finished fourth at provincials against tougher competition from the Coast. They expect even better competition at the BC Summer Games. 

“I expect a little higher than just regular rep soccer,” says Trotta. “We played in the provincials just earlier, so that was pretty high level. Hopefully we’ll be ready.”