A 13 year old soccer player from Moncton is getting a major opportunity – something no other provincial player has ever had before.
While playing at Nationals in Newfoundland, Phoenix Roberts was selected to join the Montreal Impact Academy.
This could eventually lead him to playing soccer professionally.
His father Aaron says their initial reaction was shock but the decision to let him go ultimately wasn’t difficult.
“Once we processed what the decision was at hand, it was a no brainer, it was 100% yes,” says Roberts. “You know, ultimately this is a big opportunity for him, probably a “once in a lifetime”, one that every kid dreams of.”
Aaron says what helped them make the decision was speaking with other parents because “for us we always thought this might be a possibility, but not at this age, right?”
Aug 26, 2017 at 4:30am PDT
They went through a range of emotions upon hearing the news, according to Aaron, including shock as they realized what was happening.
“Incredibly on top of the moon proud, not just because of what he is capable of and has done, but how he’s carried himself through all this journey as of late,” says Aaron.
Phoenix will be living with a billet family in Montreal as he trains for the next six years starting August 30th.
A friend of the family set up a GoFundMe page, because the cost of helping your child live out their dream isn’t an inexpensive one and they are grateful for any donations.
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