A Surrey-based youth soccer team is more than halfway to its goal of raising $30,000 for travel and other expenses to compete at a national club championship tournament this fall.
Winners of the boys' provincial U17 title, BC Tigers will play in Canada Soccer's Toyota National Championships in Sydney, Nova Scotia, starting Oct. 9.
Closer to home that week, the women's Jubilee Trophy national championship tournament will involve Surrey United's team in action at Newton Athletic Park. The Surrey park will also host the men's Challenge Trophy tournament.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have to fly across the country to represent B.C. and Surrey at the national tournament.
Nine years ago, the team "embarked on their journey with a dream and a determination to excel in the game of soccer," according to a post on the fundraising website gofundme.com.
"This team, composed of talented athletes coming from diverse ethnicities, have overcome numerous challenges to become a symbol of hope and perseverance within their community."
As of Aug. 7, more than $16,000 has been donated by 141 individuals and companies.
The Tigers won the Provincial A Cup in 2023 and again in 2024, "proving their tenacity and consistency on the field."
Manager Swarnjit Grewal has guided the team for nearly a decade. Coached by Patrick Adamczewski, the players are Angad Gill, Gursehaj Sandhu, Humaid Abbasi, Sahej Hayer, Joshua Masilya (captain), Andrew Sarkodie, Justin Mann, Jagjot Bathal, Alejandro Carrilo, Navjot Gill, Shivnesh Pillay, Pritish Bagga, Jaiten Grewal, Aman Nagra, Alessandro Campanile, Verdhaan Sidhu, Aryan Madani, Armaan Cheema and Bhavanveer Sekhon.
The team faces "the critical challenge of securing the necessary funds to support their journey" to Nova Scotia this fall.
"Community support is essential to cover travel, accommodation and training expenses for the national championship. Contributions from community leaders and members will enable these athletes to focus on their performance and represent B.C. without financial burdens."
