Over the Edge + October, 4

sports ii

FOREVER STRONG

UNBC Mens Soccer

PUNEET HAYER SPORTS EDITOR

The UNBC men’s soccer team earned national notoriety with their shocking 2-1 victory over heavily favoured Douglas College last year. Addition- ally, the men’s soccer team recently attained a top 10 national ranking, which is saying something consid- ering the modest beginnings of the program. However, for T’ Wolves midfielder, Nasser Albishi, over- coming the odds is nothing new. Growing up in humble beginnings among the millions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, nothing came easy for Nas- ser. Today, Nasser is considered a cornerstone to the development of UNBC soccer, while he finishes his Bachelor of Commerce degree ma- joring in International Business and Marketing.

Nasser Albishi grew up like any other kid in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, playing soccer with aspirations to make it big in the sport. He started

Cougars Defense takes on the Condor offense in the regular season debut

playing as “a kid”, says Nasser, and continued to pursue the sport in his teenage years while playing top-notch competition of the Middle East. That persistence paid off as it allowed him to enroll at Teacher College in his native Saudi Arabia. However, a ser- ious back injury sidelined him for 7 months and forced him to put his soc- cer career on hold.

Shortly afterwards Nasser moved to Vancouver for his education and as his back injury started to get better he began to practice with a Japanese club team that helped him refine his skills and get back into playing shape. Next, Nasser’s pursuit of his education led him north to Prince George where he was discovered on the CNC soccer field by present UNBC men’s soccer coach Sonny Pawar. Nasser didn’t have the intention of playing soccer in Canada, “I came here for school and the Northern Sport Centre just

PUNEET HAYER

=

rest

opened, and Coach Pawar recruited me to play”, he explains. Nasser says, “I just love to play soccer”. Subse- quently it was a natural choice for him to start playing soccer while he completes his education.

We all know how the story goes from there. The UNBC men’s soccer team has achieved remarkable suc- cess despite not having access to ma- jor resources and facing obstacles that many new university sport programs face. The aforementioned stunning 2-1 victory over highly- touted and favoured Douglas College last year propelled the team to an impressive BCCAA Silver Medal in 2010. Plus, UNBC has used the success of the men’s soccer program in their efforts to attain CIS status and credited the program for the CCAA Community Service Award last season. Nasser was a major contributor to the success of this program as he was ranked among

ae

Lae

3

High School Football in Prince George continues to progress and break barriefs in a region of football apathy. Whether you are new to the local sports scene or not, the gridiron under the lights of Masich Stadium is the place to be.

In the spring of 2004, high school football made a comeback to Prince George after a 35-year absence. That season concluded with the Ist annual “PG Bowl” between the league’s only participants: the College Heights Sec- ondary Cougars and Duchess Park Secondary Condors. The Cougars claimed, the annual high school foot- ball championship with a hard fought 2-0 victory. In the time since, high school football has grown to a con- sistent 6-team league that stretches to Corileau Secondary School of Quesnel and last year’s “PG Bowl” runner-up, Nechako Valley Secondary School of Vanderhoof. Furthermore, high school football in this region has grown to two divisions based on age: a Junior Varsity Division of students in grades 8-10 and a Senior Division consisting of students enrolled in grades 11 and 12. Plus, many players in the system have gone on to football careers in the Canadian Interuniver- sity Sport (CIS) and even the collegi- ate level in the United States.

Consequently, that would suggest that high school football has been a

the team leaders in playing time and efficiency (plus/minus rating).

Nasser credits his success with the Timberwolves to his passion of the game, which he takes seriously, and the influence of Coach Pawar. Plus, Nasser thinks the team’s style of play “suits” him and his involvement with major soccer academies has made him a better player. However, Nasser’s commitment and passion to UNBC athletics and the game of soccer has not impeded him outside of the soc- cer field.

The star midfielder has excelled in the classroom, while being a mem- ber of the Economics Club, and will graduate later this year. In addition, Nasser is a philanthropist as he is a central part of the charity [VOLUN- TEER. This charity seeks to help all international students attain volunteer opportunities through networking in order to help the community and as-

"PUNEET HAYER similate international students into Canadian culture.

Nasser Albishi is an incredible

ambassador of UNBC athletics and academia. He is a truly inspirational story due to his commitment to excel- . lence and persistence on and off the soccer field. He found his own way in the world, which is a big part of uni- versity experience. But like any true competitor, Nasser is “not satisfied” and hopes to “win provincials and go to nationals”. Albishi and the men’s soccer team play UBC-O next on Saturday Octo- ber 8th (time pending) at the Rotary Soccer Fields (admission is free). Provincials commence on October 28th through October 30th in Kelow- na and nationals two weeks later. Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved with IVOLUNTEER.

If you would like to learn more about local football, please contact Kim Pike at (250) 961-9113.Check out their site for the remaining

> .eschedule. http://wwwsbehighschoolfootball.com/ =

success in this region and has exempli- fied a receptiveness of city residents of their children playing football. That is not particularly the case, if you consider how many more high school students play hockey, volleyball, soc- cer and basketball and that much of the implementation and organization of the program has been ‘undertaken by the Prince George Minor Football Association (PGMFA) and the gener- osity of many volunteers, and not the School District(s) themselves. Addi- tionally, High School Football faces challenges on encouraging students to play, which has been an issue, as DP Todd did not have a team this season. Of course this football program would not work without the school districts cooperation and support. However, it does raise an interesting question, “why can’t high school! football get the same level of encouragement and support as volleyball, basketball or soccer from their school districts?” The other sports reap many benefits from their ‘preference’, which in- cludes sponsorships, travel and no- toriety from the local media; so why can’t football?

The fact that high school football is still in its early stages in this region suggests that there will be a learning curve for people to understand the in- tegrity, complexities, speed and con- tact of the game. In addition, there are

i

UNEET HAYER

financial difficulties in implementing this program, as football equipment is expensive in conjunction with the limited resources of the school dis- trict and minor football association. With the continued work of the vol- unteers, players and other supporters, high school football in Prince George has the potential to be a big part of the community and a positive build- ing block for the young men in the progression of their adolescent lives. Playing football has the potential to instill a level of discipline, self-re- spect, pride, confidence and enthusi- asm that members of the community could benefit from.

The College Heights Cougars Sen- ‘ ior football team is coached by Puneet Hayer, Grant Erickson and Shane Taylor. Coach Erickson and Coach Taylor were the coaches of College Heights in the Ist annual “PG Bow!” and have been coaching football in this region for much of the past 30 years. Their commitment and dedi- cation to high school football, along with the countless volunteers, parents and of course players, is what makes the Prince George Minor Football As- sociation and High School Football League among the best organizations in the entire city. Without them, there simply would be no high school foot- ball league whatsoever.