Some of you may remember that this past fall I had the privilege of attending the Danone Nations Cup in Paris. While upon my return most people asked how I liked Paris, the truth is that I spent the bulk of my time on the soccer field, and it was actually quite inspiring 🙂

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Danone Nations Cup, it all started back in the year 2000 when the Danone Group decided to create its own international soccer tournament.  Today the Danone Nations Cup is the world’s biggest soccer (football) tournament for kids ages 10-12 and has earned immense credibility in the world of ‘football’. Far from being just a tournament, the Danone Nations Cup is a unique and memorable experience for everyone involved.

To give you an idea of the impact this tournament has on youth: 2.5 million children around the globe are involved in some way, over 32 countries are represented and over 45,000 spectators watch the World Finals. The impact is staggering.

The reason I am choosing to wrote to you about it now, so many months after the trip, is because if your child plays soccer and would like to compete in the Danone Nations Cup, NOW is the time to get them registered to try out! Selection Camps in Ontario (Ottawa and Toronto) took place  last weekend and will take place in Québec City & Montreal on May 5th, 6th & 7th. Click here for more details

Now, to give you a taste of what it was like to be on site during the World Finals…I don’t even know where to begin.

The Kids: They were SO happy and SO into it!

The Spirit: At any given point during the day, we’d hear a team chanting their chant …and every team chanted in a different language. It was beautiful.

The Diversity: With over 32 countries represented, the soccer field was a tapestry woven with kids of all ethnicities and backgrounds, playing with each other, in friendly competition and with true sportsmanlike conduct. I can’t even tell you how incredible it was to see this.

The Game: Soccer (known in the rest of the world as Football) is a beloved sport around the world.  Soccer fans are just as enthusiastic as Habs fans during the playoffs ( when we make it, LOL).  Hundreds of kids gathered for this tournament from around the world…and they were all there for the love of the game.

This short slideshow will give you a small idea of the feeling of the event 🙂

When I was in Paris, I had the

unique opportunity to interview some of the players.  I think that this best conveys the depth of the effect on the kids:

I also had the privilege of Interviewing Coach Dean Howie, who has been coaching Team Canada for the Danone Nations Cup for 15 years!

Interested in having your young soccer player try out for Team Canada?  Click here to REGISTER for FREE – and do it ASAP as Final Selection Camps are taking place on May 5th & 6th in Québec City & in Montreal!

You can visit danonenationscup.com for more information – or for Canada-specifi info, head straight to: danonenationscup.com/en/country/ca

Also, in case you’re wondering about girls vs. boys registering- This year DANONE NATIONS CUP will offer 2 tournaments- One for girls & one for boys…which means TWO TEAMS for Canada – so if you have a young soccer star on your hands…make sure to register!

Wishing you luck at the tryouts!  Many you be as inspired as I was 🙂

Tanya

Disclosure: I was an invited Guest of Danone Canada and as such was provided with travel, accommodations & meals when I attended the Danone Nations Cup. As always, all opinions shared on this blog are my own and can never be bought 🙂