NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY ROVERS FC
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For Simcoe County Rovers right back Allen Saye Blegay, the future is indeed bright.
The local Barrie product, born in 2006, contributed positively to the Rovers’ championship season helping the second-year team lift the League1 trophy and secure a spot in the Canadian championships for 2024.
The news only gets better for the aspiring pro player as he has been invited to the Canadian U17 World Cup provisional squad in Brazil as the team prepares for the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Canada Soccer has announced its men’s U17 squad for the upcoming two-match friendly series with South American champions Brazil. As part of preparations for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, Canada will play Brazil on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil are the defending FIFA U17 world champions.
The athletically gifted Saye Blegay played 15 games for the Simcoe County Rovers this past season, starting 10 of them and recording two assists while playing against men five to seven years older than him on average.
Saye Blegay began his playing career in Barrie, where he played for Barrie Soccer Club from 2016 to 2018 before moving onto Aurora, Woodbridge and Vaughan teams. He joined the Rovers for the 2022 season.
When asked what it means for a local Barrie boy to make good and receive this prestigious opportunity, Saye Blegay had no hesitation with his response: “It’s a blessing, and all a teenager who loves the game of soccer can ask for. Without the Simcoe County Rovers coaching staff, fans and family support, this wouldn’t be possible. It’s only the beginning, though. Looking forward to the journey.”
Coach Jason Beckford believes the sky is the limit.
“We are so pleased for Allen as a local Barrie boy to be recognized by the national team at the U17 level. It is a testament to his obvious ability, but also for the professional environment we have created at Rovers to enable players like Allen to grow. Furthermore, it highlights the quality of our recruitment by identifying him as a player of talent that could make the jump from youth football in the Ontario Player Development League to men’s football. Hopefully, he will be the first of many Rovers that get recognized at the international level. From all of us at the Simcoe County Rovers, well done, Allen.”
Simcoe County Rovers winger Soumaya Bouak has received an offer from Mazatlan FC, a professional women’s club playing in La Liga, Mexico. These are incredible times for the versatile player, who received a call-up from the Algerian national team for games this past summer, a recognition for her obvious talent.
Bouak, who hails from Newmarket, played her club football for Aurora FC, represented Ontario at the provincial level and attended the University of Ottawa, where she was a 2022 Ontario University Athletics East second team all-star.
“We’re delighted for Soumaya,” said Rovers head coach Dave Kelly. “She’s worked hard and thoroughly deserves to take the next step in her career and sign professionally. As soon as she was called into the Algerian national team, we knew there would be interest.
"While we know it’s bittersweet that she won’t be running down the wing at J.C. Massie Field anymore, it’s a success story for our club and our program. We want to be clear that winning trophies and helping players move on to sign professional terms is exactly what we’re looking to achieve with our players.
For more information on the Simcoe County Rovers FC, including 2024 ticket purchase options and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.roversfc.ca.
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