corner flag #8 | classified information
Geoff Wakefield is a humble young man soon to attend general science classes at Camosun College. His first week of education may as well be by correspondence as the young soccer player is attending the Canadian Soccer Associations' Cerebral Palsy Paralympic Men's National Team (say that ten times really fast) development camp in Florida, September 8-12. The camp is in preparation for the Americas qualifying tournament this October in Argentina.
Classification is key to the participation in the sport.
Geoff attended the national development camp at Victoria's Hampton Park in June. At that time, he was deemed 'classified out' as the assessors did not feel his soccer skills were affected by his medical condition. There were medical aspects they saw that could classify him as a CP-8 designation which would make him a classified athlete in this 7 aside discipline.
This revelation led to a second opinion. Last month, in Glasgow, Scotland. Wakefield traveled with national head coach, Drew Ferguson to the European Cerebral Palsy 7 aside championships. Assessors there classified the young Canadian, giving him eligibility to compete for Canada.
Standing 6'3" tall, the central defender is very excited to be representing Canada on the international stage. He hopes to be a key contributor to the success of the national team as they attempt to qualify for the world championships, 2011 (Netherlands), and 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England. The paralympics are being broadcast to a world wide television audience.
Geoff currently competes in the Vancouver Island Soccer League's u21 Graduate League with Cordova Bay, coached by Glen Prevost. His soccer playing history began with Timbits Soccer on the Peninsula. He competed with gold level teams at Peninsula coached by Highlanders owner, Alex Campbell and moved to the Metro youth selects program where his coaches from u16-u18 were Mike Phaelan, Frank Woods and Mike Pollack.
Keep an eye out for Geoff in local competition or along the sidelines helping a friend coach in the Juan de Fuca youth program too.
He's sure to rack up air miles and represent like no other before him. Best wishes on your soccer journey. The maple leaf ball looks good on you.
