Image Credit: CFJC Today
SOCCER CLINIC

KYSA Soccer Dome reopens; Canadian Olympians stop by to teach soccer to Kamloops youngsters

Oct 28, 2024 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – The KYSA Soccer Dome held a grand reopening over the weekend and welcomed some special Olympic guests to conduct a soccer clinic for Kamloops youth.

Stephanie Labbé and Melissa Tancredi both shared their wisdom with hundreds of kids. The Olympic medalists put the athletes through various drills. Both were excited to share their on-field experiences with the kids.

The Canadian Olympic Committee is partnering with Teck Resources to bring clinics to different communities across the country.

“It’s so special to do things like this,” said Tancredi, who has won two bronze medals with Canada’s women’s soccer team, “to reach out to communities that maybe don’t get as much exposure to players like us or Olympians. It’s important to come out here and teach new skills and make sure kids know that we’re watching and we care. We want to grow the sport. It’s very important to come here.”

After the drills, the soccer stars offered pictures and autographs to all who participated in the clinic, hoping to inspire kids with their dreams of becoming professional soccer players one day.

“The excitement they bring in also teaches us a lot. It teaches us about the joy of the game and why we started at it,” added Labbé, who has won gold and bronze medals. “I think a lot of the time when you get to the top or when you’ve done something for so long, you kind of forget why you started and you forget about that excitement. Even for me, seeing the joy on their faces when they try something new and it works, reminds me of what this game can really bring out of individuals.”