There are times it seems soccer has lost touch with its
roots. June was one of those times when, in the span of
a few days, Real Madrid paid the equivalent of about $250
million to acquire forwards Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
These are people, guys who eat and sleep and put on their
boots one at a time just like the rest of us. One quarter
of a billion dollars for the right to pay nearly another
$40 million in annual salary to have Kaka and Ronaldo play
for Real Madrid, which will probably still lose to Barcelona,
the European champions.
It's hard to say whether this financial absurdity is proof
of soccer's success or its imminent demise at the highest
level amid a crumbling econonomy. Certainly, it is another
world, a place that may as well be Jupiter compared to the
grassroots soccer that has been played with gusto and friendship
—- and not a penny less —— at the corner
of Francis and No. 1 Road in Richmond since Geoff Penniston
and the Richmond Olympics founded The Nations Cup in 1979.
Yes, 30 years ago.
The tournament became bigger and better than anyone could
have imagined and outlived its founder, as Penniston succumbed
to cancer before last year's event.
For the first time, the best open-division players from
the Lower Mainland are competing for the re-christened Geoff
Penniston Nations Cup.
Ireland is the defending champion, having beaten the Caribbean
in last year's final for its first tournament championship
since 1999. Ireland's Tiernan King, who shared the scoring
title with Canada's Lucas Barrett, was named Most Valuable
Player.
The Irish narrowly missed an unprecedented sweep, losing
the women's final to Canada, which defended its title. Italy
took the men's honours in 2007.
Other winners over 29 years have included the Caribbean,
Scotland, Germany,
England, Canada, India and Africa.
That's four continents, if you're keeping track.
Tournament alumni include Ally McCoist (Glasgow Rangers),
Eric Ross (Newcastle
United), Jim Gabriel (Everton), Alex Reid (Rangers), Carl
Valentine (West
Bromwich Albion) and Lee Davidson (Dundee United).
The list of Canadian professionals who have played is
even more extensive and includes former national-team
coaches Dale Mitchell and Colin Miller.
Germany won the first tournament in 1979, a
decade before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and its four
titles are second
only to Scotland. The Scots' eight-year run, which began
in 1982, seems
untouchable considering the ever-increasing depth and
quality of the
entrants. But that's what makes this game and this championship
so exciting.
The Nations Cup itself is the trophy presented to the
winners of the open
division. There are championships, however, for over-30s,
over-38s and
over-45s, too.
Three memorial awards are presented in the names of people
who were
exemplary in their support and passion for the tournament.
John Craven,
Danny Burns and Alex Reid will always be remembered for
their enthusiasm and
love of the game.
It's this attachment to the game so many people feel
that keeps the Nations
Cup growing. It's everyone's tournament now, belonging
to all who appreciate
soccer and, especially, to those who play for the love
of the world game. And happily do so for free.
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Contact Us
For
further information regarding team applications, advertisement,
sponsorship, and all other inquiries, please contact:
info@thenationscup.com
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