Liam Stanley named 2013 Canadian Para Soccer Player of the Year

Canada Soccer has announced that Liam Stanley is the 2013 Canadian Para Soccer Player of the Year. Stanley was honoured by selection from the Canada Para Soccer coaching staff.

“As a young 16-year old, Liam had a year in 2013 that not many players his age have had at the senior level,” said coach Drew Ferguson. “He was a dominant factor for us at the national level.”

The Para Soccer fullback from Victoria, BC is in his third year with the Canadian Para Soccer program. He played in 10 international matches in 2013, helping Canada post a record of four wins, two draws and four losses.

“At the Tournoi international in Montréal in April, he played in every game and gained valuable experience at a competition of this level. At the Intercontinental Cup in Spain in July and August, he played in every minute of every game.”

Stanley earned Canada’s man-of-the-match honours in a loss to England in April and in a win over Venezuela in August. He scored the opening goal in the win over Venezuela.

“It was a very solid year and it promises a bright future for this young player,” said Ferguson.

Stanley is the second winner of the Canadian Para Soccer award, introduced last year during the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial year. The Para Soccer announcement is also the first of the 2013 Canada Soccer player awards to be announced this week, with the Canadian U-17 Players of the Year to be announced on Tuesday, the Canadian U-20 Players of the Year to be announced on Wednesday, and the BMO Canadian Players of the Year to be announced on Thursday and Friday.

CANADIAN PARA SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2013 Liam Stanley
2012 Brendon McAdam