AIA MAKING IMPRESSION ON AND OFF THE PITCH

Women’s Soccer
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Paraguay Tour

AIA MAKING IMPRESSION ON AND OFF THE PITCH

LANGLEY, British Columbia – Athletes in Action, with a solid Trinity Western University Spartans presence, continued to make a positive impression on their women’s soccer tour of Paraguay. AIA have been winning matches, making friends, and sharing their faith with those they meet.

“It has been amazing to see how the language of sport has been able to build great relationships with the other teams, federation coaches and in general the people of Paraguay,” said coach Graham Roxburgh, the TWU women’s soccer head coach who is also at the helm of the AIA team for the trip. “Our team continues to be blessed with the opportunities that we are given to both play against good opponents, but more importantly build friendships with them.”

The team now has three wins and three losses, with the third win coming last night 4-2 against a good club team called Deportiva la Sajonia. Spartans forward Becca Ferguson (Calgary) scored the fourth goal of the match, and TWU defenders Kayla Dilling (Winnipeg), Kayleen Davison (Maple Ridge, B.C.), Heather Stevenson (Newport, Cali.), and Erin-Marie Higgins (Surrey, B.C.) contributed on the back line.

“After each game, our players have had the chance in post game receptions to meet with the other team, share more about AIA and share about the Love of God and why we are here,” Roxburgh said. “It has been awesome to see their response.”

Currently the team is working in underprivileged areas, visiting a community center for street kids and doing a soccer clinic. They bring soccer gear, conduct clinics and share the Love of Christ with the kids, and people in the area.

Yesterday the team also toured the headquarters for the South American Football Confederation, met with Dr. Nicolas Leozthe President of South American football and discussed future opportunities for developing women’s football (what we call soccer in North America) in Paraguay and South America.

"This has been a real life changing experience for our girls, and I am delighted that many of our TWU players have been able to take part in such a great time,” said Roxburgh. “Our desire is to show and demonstrate the Love of Christ through our play and interactions with the people we meet and this has been an awesome experience to see this happen through our team."

AIA will play three games in the next three days, all against the best competition in the country, including a rematch with the national team on Friday night. They will also conduct five more camps and clinics this week in underprivileged areas. For more information on Athletes In Action, please visit www.athletesinaction.com.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca