Roma girls U16 squad off to Florida
The St. Catharines Club Roma U16 girls team plan to combine business and pleasure on a trip to Florida this week.
The team is entered in a Disney Showcase event which will be held this weekend at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
“It started off because there’s so much pressure on these kids nowadays with social media and schools and everything else it was kind of an outlet where they could showcase themselves but still be 15- and 16-year-old girls,” Roma coach Walter Camelino said. “That’s how it started and then it kind of grew wings a little bit.”
All 17 players are attending the event along with the coaching staff and some parents.
“It’s very exciting. Not only are they going to get a lot of opportunity to be seen and showcased, but more importantly, they’re going to be making memories,” Camelino said.
Roma take on the defending Florida state champions in their first game Saturday. They will also play teams from Chicago and Detroit with the top two teams advancing to the championship final.
“It’s going to be very challenging,” Camelino said. “I think it’s going to be very good for the girls. It’s something they’re not used to. It’s going to be physical and very quick but that’s how you improve. Looking forward to seeing how they adjust and compete down there.”
Camelino figures the competition will be an eye-opener for some.
“That’s partially the idea, to let them know what the future holds in store for those who want to pursue this farther.”
Roma technical director Davide Massafra loves the concept.
“I’m very excited to see such a talented group of girls wearing Roma jerseys and representing our HP (High Performance) Program at a large and prestigious showcase tournament such as Disney,” Massafra said. “I had the opportunity to know each of them with coach Walter in the past months and I’m impressed by the potential they have.
“I couldn’t more happy to have these talented and competitive young ladies in our club pathway, and I will be thrilled to see them playing for our L1ON Women’s Program in the next few years.”
Members of the team are:
3: Chloe McNeil
4: Ava Rose
5: Bronwyn Hunter
7: Zeynep Coskan Johnson
8: Sophia Verrelli
9: Reese Rotella
10: Mackenzie Munro-Flora
11: Ashlyn Armstrong
13: Kella Montgomery
14: Vanessa Dube
16: Brooke Stevens
19: Mackenzie Kikkert
20: Cadie Kish
21: Kaylee Peterson
29: Sophie Solodiuk
31: Alexa Beaulieu
41: Thalia Camelino
93: Daphne Gray
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