By Joanne McDonald teen with a dream to take Canada to the World Soccer Cup, Owen Clavel will be well on his way when his cleats hit the pitch in Portugal this summer. The Grimsby soccer player has been invited to play with a youth development team for the coming season in Setubal, Portugal, a city near Lisbon. “It’s crazy. I can’t wait to go,” says Clavel, crediting senior coach Shawn Omrani at the Brampton Elite Soccer Academy. “Without Shawn none of this could’ve happened. He is the reason I have this opportunity to go to Portugal.” While he’s grown through a few sizes of cleats since his childhood start with the Grimsby Youth Soccer Club, the family car has also worn through the treads of more than a few sets of tires as Clavel heads into his third year, a centreback defender, with the Brampton Elites, a Tier 1 ORA (Ontario Recognized Academy.) The road to Brampton has been interesting says his super Uber mom Jodie. “There have been blown out tires. We’ve been hit by tires.” “I will go from spending six days of the week with Owen down to nothing. It will be a huge adjustment for me,” said Jodie. “We are extremely proud of him. He is so focused on soccer but he’s a well
A
Owen and his coach Shawn Omranii.
Owen and his coach Shawn Omrani.
rounded great kid.” Now 16, his passion for soccer is pervasive. “It’s just the feeling of playing the beautiful game. It’s like none other.” He’s not alone. The single most beloved sport on the planet, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was reportedly viewed by four billion people. For Clavel, who attended Smith Public School in Grimsby and since Grade 6 has gone to DSBN Academy in St. Catharines, “there is nothing else I want to do. I want to play professional soccer and I’m so lucky to have the chances I do.”
The thoughtful and respectful teen has a huge heart of gratitude. “I know how much my family has sacrificed and they are making my dream come true,” says Clavel, naming his parents Brian and Jodie, sister Olivia, two brothers Tyson and Keaton and his cousin Abby Dalley. His aunt Ruth Clausen holds a special place in his heart. “My Aunt Ruth has made it possible for me to do the trips. She has been my biggest supporter. She steps in and makes it possible.” Clavel has been two times to both Portugal and Italy. And his grandparents, Barb and Bill Clausen also get star billing. Clavel said they’re nervous to watch him play, but they’re the home cheering section and wait for a debrief after every game. The family will join him in Portugal for Christmas. “I’ll be homesick and looking forward to when they come.” It was two years ago that Clavel crossed paths with the coach who has been instrumental in making dreams come true. “I went to tryouts in Hamilton and made a team call Chantilly Forever FC. That brought me into contact with Shawn and Brampton.,” Clavel said. Omrani’s two sons made the same team and they all travelled to Italy as part of the Canadian Academy of Futbol - United Canadian Select Team. March/April 2019 | clubwest.ca
13