A dream has come true for Zach Karmel, age 12, from Langdale.
Zach was handpicked from among 5,200 young people from across the country to represent Western Canada at the national soccer finals on July 19 at BMO Stadium in Toronto.
The Eastern and Western teams will be going head-to-head to fight for a chance to play in the ninth edition of the Danone Nation's Cup in Paris, France.
Taking place from Sept. 5 to 7, the Danone Nations Cup is a thrilling conclusion to an immense international event counting close to three million young soccer players aged 11 and 12 and is the last component of the large-scale philanthropic activity. Since its creation eight years ago, the Danone Nations Cup has become the most prominent event in international youth soccer, attracting players from some 40 different countries.
In addition to this honour, Zach has been selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps to join their prospects team on a European tour in August. The 16 players selected from teams throughout the Lower Mainland will be playing tournaments and exhibition games against youth teams from some of Europe's top professional football clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Ajax from the Netherlands, Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen from Germany.
Last winter, Zach played for the U13 rep Sunshine Coast Predators and has been selected to play this fall for the U14 North Shore Metro team.
