BOUCHERVILLE, QC, June 21, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This afternoon, at Montreal's Saputo Stadium, the Western team won out over the Eastern team at the amazing national final of the Danone Nations Cup, with a final score of 3 to 1. It was Jules-Antony Vilsaint of the Eastern team who scored the first goal, after 28 seconds into the game. In overtime, the Western team take the lead with two unanswered goals. The players from the Western team, who never won the finals since three years, will represent Canada and join the delegations from 31 other countries that will participate in the international final of the Danone Nations Cup, to be held this year in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from November 12 to 16, 2014. Under the watchful gaze of parents, fans and coaches, both teams showed tremendous agility and perseverance on the pitch.
"All of our players put everything they've got into this match, proving their unwavering commitment to excel and give their very best," says DNC Canada Head Coach Dean Howie. "The Danone Nations Cup is a major event for these kids who want to live out their passion to the fullest. What's more, these young athletes from the Western team will have an opportunity to play where the top professionals have played. This is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives," he adds.
Much more than just a sports competition, the Danone Nations Cup is a major event where hand-picked players have a chance to experience something that will change their lives, while teaching them the basic values of the sport and the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle today.
"The Danone Nations Cup is part of our mission, which is driven by the desire to contribute to the health and well-being of children, and this unique event is a great opportunity to put into action and share with them the importance of a balanced lifestyle", explains Nick Krzyzaniak, President and CEO for Danone Canada. "Our players are now living a unique life experience and we are delighted to contribute to their dreams," he adds.
To promote team spirit and determination, a player from the losing team who has shown good sportsmanship and outstanding ability during the national final will have a chance to accompany the winning team to the decisive match.
Before the big departure for Brazil, the 11 members from the winning team will participate in a three-day training camp in Quebec, supervised by Head Coach Dean Howie and his team. The camp will help young athletes prepare to come up against the best soccer players in the world at the international final to be held in November, under the expert eye of the event's sponsor—Zinedine Zidane. The players will proudly step out on the pitch one year after the 2013 Canadian delegation, which ranked 14th.
These are the members of the winning team:
About Canada's Danone Nations Cup
Danone has been organizing the Danone Nations Cup since 1999. This international competition has been putting smiles on the faces of young Canadians since its first edition. To date, over 55,000 children have participated and had a chance to live the experience of a lifetime by taking part in a high-calibre international sports competition. To make this event accessible to all children between the ages of 10 to 12, Danone covers all the costs related to this competition.
About Danone
Danone Inc. in Canada is a member of the Danone Group, a world leader in the agrifood industry. By making and offering high-quality products that combine good taste and healthy ingredients, Danone has become Canada's leading producer of yogurt. Danone's mission is to bring healthy eating to as many people as possible. In addition to its commercial activities, the company is convinced that the daily consumption of yogurt is synonymous with good health. Danone remains loyal to its scientific approach and firmly believes in the benefits of yogurt as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
For more information, visit www.danone.ca or www.facebook.com/danonecanada.
Image with caption: "Western team (Canada), 2014 Danone Nations Cup. (CNW Group/Danone Nations Cup)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140621_C2938_PHOTO_EN_3835.jpg
SOURCE: Danone Nations Cup
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