King-based soccer academy graduates players to college rankings

August 3, 2016 · 0 Comments

ANB Futbol grad Giulia Zanardi signs her acceptance to Humber College to play soccer for the Humber Hawks.

By Jake Courtepatte
With four students earning scholarships to play at a collegiate level, ANB Futbol is marking its place as King’s prestigious soccer academy.
Two male and two female graduates of the development camp, based out of Country Day School in King City, are moving on to play soccer at their respective colleges and universities.
Sadaam Yousufzai, presently on the organization’s under-20 squad, has signed a scholarship with Colorado’s Mesa University, who play in the NCAA’s Division II as part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Having joined ANB in 2012, Sadaam has grown significantly through showcase trips to both the United States and Europe.
Patricio Gonzalez, who played an integral role in the ANB League 1 team for the past two seasons, has accepted a scholarship to Quest University in British Columbia.
Originally from Mexico City, Patricio moved to Toronto at the age of 13 and has been with ANB since 2011.
“I am very proud of the athletes’ achievements, although this is just another step in their soccer aspirations,” said Academy Director Bassam Naim. “I am confident they will continue to work hard and take with them what they have learned from their coaches and the ANB philosophy. We are proud to see them succeeding in their own way and with different teams. We will continue to work with all ANB athletes to ensure their dreams become reality.”
On the female side, Giulia Zanardi will be joining the Humber Hawks squad for the 2016 season, playing in the loop of the Ontario College Athletic Association.
“I wanted to play for the Humber soccer program because of their long tradition of winning,” said Zanardi, a winner of multiple MVP titles throughout her tenure with ANB. She joined the program three years ago, and in that time has made multiple trips to play in both the United States and England.
“We are proud of Giulia’s accomplishments since she has worked very hard to achieve this & she truly represents what it means to be an ANB Futbol athlete,” said her head coach, Marcelo Almeida. “We wish her only the best for her career as a Humber Hawk!”
Almeida was also the coach of Victoria Duraes, who will be heading to Ryerson in September to play soccer for the Rams.
“It is amazing to see her growth as a player and young woman in the past few years,” said Almeida. “… I think Ryerson is lucky to have her on their roster!”
Though she joined ANB less than two years ago, Duraes was an integral part of the organization’s League 1 campaign in 2015.
Founded in 2006 as a developmental camp for local athletes, ANB Futbol has also provided over thirty opportunities for players to try out in Europe; three are headed to Europe this August.
ANB is a member of Soccer Academy Alliance Canada, whose mandate is to develop players in a professional environment.
Learn more about the program at www.anbfutbol.com.