Today’s Poll

Local Nelson Soccer star off to train in Real Madrid Foundation

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
June 28th, 2019

Hard work and dedication to the game is paying off for Nelson Youth Soccer star Callum Cutler.

Not only did the 16-year-old player pick up the Kerry Dyck Memorial Scholarship from the Hume Innkeepers, but Cutler also earned one of the two Generation Adidas nominations to train in Madrid, Spain at the Real Madrid Foundation.

While Cutler is on his way this summer to Spain, another NYA player, Lila Carmichael is off to Lyon, France to train with the Olympique Lyonnais.

“When Callum was chosen for the program, he would not tell anyone as he’s very humble,” said a person close to the Nelson Selects player.

Cutler and Carmichael were selected by the Selection Committee who carefully reviewed personal Soccer Scout profiles and studied the recommendations that were made by clubs and coaches.

The Grade 10 student at L.V. Rogers is a familiar face around the soccer pitch, spending five to seven days a week as well as coaching and officiating as alternate and lead referee for NYA — Cutler is a BC Certified Entry Level Soccer Referee, and Soccer for Life certified.

Cutler, who plays the center-midfield position, has played on numerous teams this past season, including the Nelson Selects U17 Rep team, Whitecaps Academy Regional Team, LVR Bombers Boys Soccer Team, BC Summer Games Regional Team as well as both indoor and outdoor with the Hume Innkeepers Men’s squad.

“This experience will allow me to share my newly learned skills with the kids that I coach, and to my peers on my soccer teams,” Cutler explained.

“In addition, my gained skills and  abilities will hopefully help me secure a full-ride scholarship to a major university after I graduate in 2021.”

For more than a decade Generation Adidas International has joined hands with various premier adidas clubs throughout the world to develop youth soccer players at the international level through its Select programs.

Some of the clubs participating include Madrid Foundation, A.F.C. Ajax, and Olympique Lyonnais, three of the world’s most powerful soccer clubs.

For over ten years, generation adidas international has partnered with premier adidas clubs to develop youth soccer at the international level through its Select programs. Talented players are invited to train at the Real Madrid Foundation, A.F.C. Ajax, and Olympique Lyonnais, three of the world’s most powerful soccer clubs.

Each year, the top adidas clubs nationwide have the exclusive opportunity to nominate players to participate in the program. This August, talented players from some of the nation’s best clubs will take the field in Europe, training with top quality European academy coaches and playing against academy teams.

“Having coached Callum in summer camps at youth level and playing with him in last years indoor season, I’m not surprised he is getting opportunities like this,” said Kevin Lewis, Cutler’s teammate on the Hume Innkeepers Men’s Soccer squad.

“As a group we are happy to help promote and support young players with Callum’s drive to make that next step. He is fully deserving of the award and I’m excited for him to bring all he learns throughout this experience back to Nelson.

Cutler, who has received sponsorship from Popov Leather in Nelson and Nelson and District Credit Union, travels to Toronto in the second week of August to train with his Canadian team before boarding a flight to Spain to receive expert coaching until August 18th.

To help with the more than $2400 in travel expenses — food, lodging and training are part of the program — Cutler is soliciting sponsorship in the form of prepaid Save-on-More gift cards or cash donations.

For more information on how to support Cutler call 250-551-6136 or email b.mcjones@shaw.ca

Categories: Sports

Other News Stories

Opinion