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Team Canada for Street Soccer at Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup Day 4
Coach Alan Bates writes:
Hi Street Soccer fans,
Sorry the Day 4 update is a day late. The internet wasn’t working at our hostel last night and I was exhausted.
The Homeless World Cup festivities got into full swing on Day 4 with the parade and opening ceremonies. We had a great time during the parade right down the boardwalk along Avenue Atlantica in Copacabana. We were lead by a children’s Brazilian drum group and that lead to lots of dancing, including Co-Captain Patrick Oleman busting out some traditional First Nations dancing. We also brought out the national anthem and the First Nations warrior chant that has become one of our trademarks.
Here are the Day 4 pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=491825&id=852065453&l=5e513726ee
At the end of the parade, everyone filed into the competition venue for the opening ceremonies. Co-captains Kevin King and Patrick Oleman both got turns waving the Canadian flag as part of the ceremony. Unfortunately, the ceremony was a bit of a bust because the sound system wouldn’t work which meant that nobody could here either Mel Young (the President of the Homeless World Cup) or another guy who I think was the Mayor of Rio. I guess I’ll never know, but I was impressed with his support for the tournament anyways.
Games got under way pretty soon after the opening ceremony.
It was hard for all of us to watch games and not play. We learned a lot watching the other teams though.
Fortunately/unfortunately, we learned a lot from Ireland and Mexico (both in our group) who dished out the biggest smack-downs of the day with twin 14-0 wins (vs. Romania and Cambodia respectively). The best teams have amazing skill and also have really effective systems for defending.
Even though we didn’t play on Day 4, we built on our fan-base significantly by cheering for other teams and putting on a formidable display of good cheer. Our favourite teams have included Korea, Poland, Cambodia, and the Phillipines.
We’re the official cheering section for these and several other teams. Usually Canadian soccer fans are so reserved compared to in other places, but not here. We’re so loud that other countries try to recruit us to cheer for them before games.
We continued the jockstrap expedition for a brief time. I brought back-up and mostly got Sarah Blyth and Kailin See to make fools of themselves trying to ask for one. We didn’t find one despite going to many sporting goods store. Brazilians must have balls of steel and little experience with ice hockey. Anyways, our goalie decided he didn’t need one in the end.
I went to my first coach’s meeting in the evening. It’s basically where all the countries’ coaches and managers can complain about things. Some of the coaches are pretty intense about rule interpretations.
Thanks for your support,
Alan
Team Canada for Street Soccer at Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup Day 3
Coach Alan Bates writes:
Hi Street Soccer fans,
Daniel Errey got Day 3 off to an energetic start by taking the players to the beach for a workout. Nothing like a run on the beach and a quick dip in the Atlantic to get you going in the morning.
After the players grabbed a quick breakfast, we took the metro over to the far end of Copacabana. The metro is free for all Homeless World Cup participants. The cold rain that greeted us in Copacabana made us feel right at home. Despite the weather, we had a great walk along most of the length of the seawall. Highlights included huge waves and intricate sandcastles.
For those of you who are only in this for the photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=490770&id=852065453&l=fe419bc726
We registered and got our picture taken and then were given new shoes, shirts, shorts, socks, and a team pair of goalie gloves and a ball. This was all courtesy of Nike. There was a bit of a delay for the HWC lunch, so we decided to do our own thing and went to a buffet where you pay by weight. It was thoroughly delicious.
We then returned to the hostel to dry off a bit and get ready to go back for the draw. While most guys were getting ready, I went with our goalie Kevin to try to get him a jock/cup somewhere. This mostly involved me walking up to store clerks, pointing at my crotch and getting a lot of confused looks. I think I know what they’re called now for when we try again tomorrow.
It was very exciting to find out who we’ll be playing in the first round. On Monday, we play Ireland and Romania and on Tuesday we play Cambodia and Mexico. I think it’ll be a tough group. The other teams look good.
For the full Group lists and schedule, see www.homelessworldcup.org.
After the draw, we went out on the beach to practice free kicks (we’ve got some sneaky ones), corners, and moving the ball our from our goalie. That was followed by a barefoot scrimmage and a round of coconuts.
We wandered around Copacabana a bit more, going to a street market and then watching our local team Botafogo play on TV in the Brazilian league at a cafe. It was then time for dinner at the HWC headquarters at a hostel called the Mellow Yellow. The food was actually really good. Mmmmm, butter chicken.
Since getting back home, we’ve just spent some casual time at the hostel. The guys are really coming together as a group and we haven’t even stepped on the court yet.
Tomorrow will include the parade, opening ceremonies, and the first day of games. Unfortunately we don’t play, but that will give us a chance to scout the opposition and get a feel for things.
We’re itching to get into it.
Thanks for your interest and support.
Alan
Team Canada for Street Soccer at Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup Day 1
Coach Alan Bates writes:
Hi Street Soccer fans,
This update is coming to you straight from the Alpha Hostel in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro (aka Team Canada Headquarters). My aim is to write daily updates about our Homeless World Cup experience.
Yesterday was a long and very memorable day for all of us. We all gathered at the LifeSkills Centre right across from Oppenheimer Park to a very warm send-off by volunteers and fans. In characteristic fashion, Kailin See, Sarah Blyth and lots of other PHS volunteers put together a great event including a hot breakfast, haircuts, and matching track suits and bags for the whole team. We were looking slick by the time we stepped on our bus.
Like a post-game Canucks dressing room, the room was filled with media from radio, TV, and newspapers interviewing players. Kurt Heinrich has done an amazing job with keeping our media contacts informed and has created a real buzz in the city about the team.
The highlight of the morning was co-team captain Patrick Oleman’s uncle Tom performing a traditional Stlaltlium ceremony to send us on our way in the perfect mindset, telling our guys it’s time to “stand and walk like men”.
We were then followed to the airport by a CTV crew from the show First Story and were met there by another TV crew from CityTV. Fortunately, everything went smoothly at all the airports that we went through. It was a very long trip from Vancouver to Toronto, Toronto to Sao Paulo, and finally Sao Paulo to Rio. Imagine doing that on your first day of air travel ever, as was the case for a lot of our guys.
The ride from the airport to our hostel was a big eye-opener for all of us. The scenes included sprawling Favelas of makeshift housing along the highways and young men dodging cars in the middle of very chaotic traffic trying to sell popcorn to motorists. It wasn’t lost on the guys that the popcorn sellers probably don’t get a cheque on the third Wednesday of every month.
We had a good team dinner at a burger joint around the corner from our hostel and everyone was ready to crash after that.
It’s now the morning after we arrived, and today has already provided lots of fun. We’ve been joined by Vancouver volunteers Daniel Errey, Sarah Blyth, and Kailin See. Wendy Perkins from Toronto is also in Rio now and we’re looking forward to getting our fresh new unis from her later today.
Team Korea is also staying in our hostel and the highlight of the morning has been an exhibition game with them at an urban graffiti-encircled soccer court nearby. I was impressed with our skill and sportsmanship in a friendly 3-0 win.
As I type, the guys are out playing again with the local kids in the alley/street outside the hostel. They’re learning a lot of sweet moves.
To see pictures of the send-off, check out:https://ahamedia.ca/2010/09/16/aha-media-filmed-at-team-canada-for-homeless-world-cup-2010-send-off-to-brazil-from-vancouver-downtown-eastside-dtes/
AHA MEDIA filmed at Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 Send Off to Brazil from Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)
History was made today for our eight lucky Street Soccer players chosen to play for Team Canada against 64 other countries in the world! Downtown Eastside Vancouver was proudly represented today!
Below our Team Canada players eat a hearty meal of Eggs Benedict, Sausages and Potatoes, catered by Potluck Cafe in our neighbourhood
Below Rick proudly holds his baby boy
Kevin King packing his bag
Peter Zhou packing his bag and giving some excited thoughts!
Coach Alan Bates for Team Canada
Team Canada receives blessings and smudging from an Elder
Team Canada chants “CANADA” while holding their lucky and blessed “Warrior” feathers
Below is Robert Milton saying goodbye to “Red Eyes”, his guinea pig
Patrick, Co – Captain talks about drinking Fairlee Apple Juice while playing soccer
Kevin King, Co – Captain of Team Canada gives some thoughts on his day
Kevin and Patrick, C0 – Captains of Team Canada speak to the Press
Frank and Team Canada chant “CANADA”
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 singing Wave the flag
Peter Zhou and Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 on the bus
Kevin King and Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 singing
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 waving to CTV van
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 seeing CTV van
Kevin King, Co-Captain of Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 speaking
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 with CTV cameraman
Rob Milton and Sarah Blyth of Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 singing We are the Champions
Rob Milton, playfully does a “Tough Guy” pose
Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 arrive at Airport
Good Luck Boys!! 🙂
AHA MEDIA films at “Rocker for Rio” fundraiser for Homeless World Cup 2010 in Brazil
AHA MEDIA filmed at “Rocker for Rio” fundraiser for Homeless World Cup 2010 in Brazil at Doolin’s Pub in Vancouver
Peter Zhou with Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway
Peter Zhou of Team Canada for Homeless World Cup 2010 in Brazil shaking hands with Peter Davies of AHA MEDIA who was an original Vancouver Dream Catcher Street Soccer Player and won a Gold Medal!
In this video, Sarah Blyth speaks to members of Team Canada who are going to Homeless World Cup in Brazil at the Rocker for Rio fundraiser at Doolin’s Pub in Vancouver
In this video, members of Team Canada who are going to Homeless World Cup in Brazil cheer together at the Rocker for Rio fundraiser at Doolin’s Pub in Vancouver
Peter Davies with Coach Alan Bates
Sarah Blyth, Liz Evans, Kevin King and Patrick
In this video, members of Team Canada who are going to Homeless World Cup 2010 in Brazil get handshakes and heartfelt congratulations at the Rocker for Rio fundraiser at Doolin’s Pub in Vancouver
Donations via website http://www.portlandfc.ca/portland_sponsors.html
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