MATTHEW AWARDED TRUESPORT GRASSROOTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CAPE BRETON FC U13AA Boys Prospects player Matthew MacNeil has been named the Truesport Regional Player of the Year.
Matty picked up his award at the Soccer Nova Scotia Night of Excellence banquet in Halifax on Sunday night.
Since impressing in Soccer Cape Breton's Skill Centre and playing for Glace Bay Soccer Club, Matty has become an integral part of the CBFC Prospects and a hugely popular player with team-mates and coaches alike.
This past summer his CBFC team won the Forever Orange Cup at CAPERFEST and he is now working hard to confirm his place in the U13AA Boys squad for Season 2025.
Yet the Truesport award is not given just for playing ability, it's also about all of the Truesport values.
They are:
Go For It
Rise to the challenge - always strive for excellence. Be persistent and discover how good you can be.
Play Fair
Understand, respect, and follow the rules. Play with integrity - competition is only meaningful when it is fair.
Respect Others
Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field of play. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
Keep It Fun
Find the joy in sport and share it with others. Remember what you love about sport and why you play.
Stay Healthy
Always respect and care for your mind and body. Advocate for the health and safety of yourself and those around you.
Include Everyone
Recognise and celebrate strength in diversity. Invite and welcome others into sport.
Give Back
Say thanks and show gratitude. Encourage your sport group to make a difference in the community.
Regional Director of Soccer Development Iain King said: "No player sums up all of those values more than Matty, he was a natural to be nominated for this award.
"No one plays harder than Matty but he always turns up to practices with a smile on his face, ready to learn and encourage everyone around him.
"The nature of Cape Breton is that we welcome in players from all over the world who have moved to the island and no-one is more hospitable to newcomers than Matty.
"We would like to thank Glace Bay SC for the huge part they have played in his development and we look forward to seeing him grow as a player and a person in the years to come."
- OUR picture shows a proud Matty with his award at the SNS Night of Excellence in Halifax.
