By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
“Obviously you want to succeed. You want to come back with a medal, hopefully a gold medal, but at the end of the day, there’s many things you will learn through this experience with the Canada Summer Games that will make you a better person overall and a better part of our community,” said Hector Vergara, Executive Director of the Manitoba Soccer Association.
With just under four months until Team Toba soccer competes for the podium in Niagara, learn more about how training is ramping up and why the rewards from these games goes beyond the pitch.
Building Team Toba
Both the women’s and men’s teams have been training with about 25 players, and will each announce their final rosters of 18 players later this summer.
“Training time is very limited, so we need to use it very carefully, so players can develop their style of play, believe in it, and put it on the field during the Canada Summer Games,” said William Rosales, Head Coach of the Women’s Team Toba soccer team.
Chris Lourenco, Head Coach of the Men’s Team Toba soccer team, said things will be picking up this spring after they trained indoors throughout the winter months.
“Once we get into July, the month before the games, we’re getting into some camps – some week-long camps and things like that to really ramp up and prepare for the games,” said Chris.
Connecting On and Off the Field
But it’s not only the technical and tactical training that is of big importance.
Assistant Coach of the Women’s Team Toba soccer team, Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, said that team building activities can also have a positive effect on their game.
For example, things like going to Activate Games or trying out pottery painting.
“Team sports [are] all about the connections that happen on and off the field. So once you know a teammate better, you know how to talk to her, what makes her tick, and what type of communication is more effective for her,” said Vanessa. “You know, that translates to the field right away. Also how much the team is united, how much they support each other in difficult and good times. All those activities really, really make the team better and help everybody get to know each other better so that we can be strong on and off the field.”
Getting their fitness up will be a focus as well.
“Playing so many games in a short period of time is very demanding, and we know that their conditioning, their fitness will be a decisive factor,” said Vanessa. “Especially in deciding the last few games. If the fitter teams are able to keep the intensity and the quality of their play, those games are going to be very, very important.”
Chris said while they try to incorporate all the elements (technical, tactical, physical and mental) into their training sessions to some degree, they’ll be dedicating specific time to hone their mental skills, too.
“Things like working with sport psychologists, things like team building, stuff like that, which will then do really, really well for us once we get to the games.”
Advice For Players
When it comes to advice for the athletes, there’s lots.
“First thing is that in all these sports competitions, you’ve got to have fun,” said Hector. “Enjoy the experience. It’s about meeting new people. It’s about having a great athletic experience.”
“Be prepared and do the best they can do,” said William. “Most of these athletes are one step to start university, and if they are not committed to a university, this event is a great opportunity to be seen and get a scholarship.”
A player at the Canada Games in 2005, a mission staff in 2017, and now heading to Niagara as a coach, Chris said to take everything in about the games.
“Like, everything – from training, to all the prep, the pep rally, the athlete’s village, the ceremonies if you’re involved, either opening or closing, the other sports, which is a neat thing to see,” said Chris.
And don’t forget to aim high.
“My advice is to dream big,” said Vanessa. “We have been working really hard and just to go with the mindset that we want to show everybody that something special can happen in Manitoba, and that we’re not only going to participate — we want to compete for a medal. Dream big and believe that they can achieve it.”
Much To Look Forward To
Attending the games is an incredible opportunity, and there’s a wide variety of things to be excited about.
Chris is looking forward to his first time at the games in his role as a coach.
“So really, [it’s] a different side of it for me. And I think, ultimately, trying to test myself as a coach and see where I’m at. There’s going to be a lot of coaches out there,” said Chris.
What’s William looking forward to?
“First is to go as far as possible, second is to give as much playing time to each player on the team,” said William. “This is the biggest competition for these players so far, and I want to enjoy it and have a great memory from it.”
As her first time coaching at the Canada Games, Vanessa is eager for the competition environment and having other sports on-site.
“I haven’t had that opportunity before, so I’m really looking forward to it. And just being around so many athletes from all over the country, coaches, getting to know people. So I’m really looking forward to that environment.”
For Hector, watching the athletes compete is a highlight.
“I’m looking forward to just watching them play and just having fun and enjoying the experience after all the work they’ve put in. It’s great to see them representing our province and seeing them succeed.”
But it’s also important to remember, as supporters, family, friends, and teammates, to be there for each other during the tough times.
“We know at the end of the day, it’s not just one team playing the game, it’s two teams playing the game, and one of them is going to have to score more goals than the other,” said Hector. “The [team] that doesn’t score so many goals, at the end of the day, it’s not reaching their goals and objectives, and that’s disappointing for them. So, you got to be there to be able to support them as well.”
The Canada Games: More Than A Competition
Hector added that the players, coaches, officials, and volunteers who come through games are part of a larger community in Manitoba.
“It’s a journey. They have to enjoy every part of that journey, realizing that they’ll become a better person because of all the experiences they will have. Whether it’s through training, preparation [for] games, or whether it’s the competition itself,” said Hector. “They will encounter all kinds of different personalities, all kinds of obstacles and challenges for them to overcome. All those things will teach them invaluable life skills that will be with them forever, whether it’s in the athletic world, or their professional or personal lives.”
And he believes, once at the games, many people end up giving back one way or another.
“Or, maybe just giving back to sport or some other sector of the community. These individuals are people who are part of our community for a long time. They are the future leaders of our community, so having this experience it’s a phenomenal opportunity and it’s also important for all of us that they enjoy it and are successful at it.”
Moments That Stick
You never know what Canada Games moment is going to stick with you.
For Chris, it was as a player on the bus rides to games from the athlete’s village – the culmination of mental focus and the feelings that came along with the adrenaline of preparing to step onto the pitch.
And the fans certainly add another element to it all.
“It seems like with the games, I do recall in 2017, in particular in Winnipeg.. the stands were full. There was a lot of people watching the games. That is certainly another memory that sticks out.”
For each person, whether you’re a player, coach, official, mission staff, volunteer, or fan, there’s a memory to make at the Canada Games. And it might just stick with you forever.
Follow The Herd
There’s lots happening in the soccer community this season, including provincial championships, opportunities for grassroots development, coaching seminars, referee clinics, and of course, Team Toba updates! Don’t miss it and follow Manitoba Soccer Association on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Or, visit their website.
