BY INDIRA PRAHST

Team Manager

KLM United U18 Girls

KUDOS to the KLM United U18 girls who defeated CMF Edge 2- 0 to win the 2015 BC Coastal Girls Soccer League Championship.

After their summer practice last summer with Dashmesh soccer team, the girls practiced twice a week to prepare for the season build on their talents. The girls have been role models to a younger generation of girls interested in soccer, where they learn discipline, teamwork and competition. But the team also had fun with their summer trip to Penticton to forge bonds with team members.

The success of Team United is rooted in the dedication of the girls, committed coaches, head coach Ray Goldenchild and assistant coaches Raju Dhaunkal and Leung Seto, and the support of parents, in particular, Louise Seto. It is really encouraging and inspiring to see how the commitment of Goldenchild and his belief in the girls led to their success. He, along with the assistant coaches, is collectively helping to raise the next generation through the world of soccer where there are indeed ample role positive models, especially in the South Asian community.

My daughter Natasha has been on this team for several years as have most of the other players and I can attest to this firsthand seeing how the girls in addition to their love for soccer, have developed myriad life skills. They have supported each other during times of injury and moments of sadness, battled against prejudgements about South Asians, including their soccer coach who is of African descent (symbolic and personal racism), development of a strong self-esteem and a will to succeed. What I have learned about the world of soccer is an element of selflessness, of giving back to the community through tireless work by the coaches and keeping the spirit of sport alive.

KLM United deserved this cup and they have made the community proud.