IVEN STRIKES GOLD THEN MAKES CANADA GAMES!
CAPERS Academy prospect Iven Gouthro capped eight days to remember on Monday night when he was named in the Team Nova Scotia squad for the Canada Games in St John's, Newfoundland, in August.
The 17-year-old Glace Bay High student - who can operate as a striker or in attacking midfield - was confirmed in the 18-player squad for the prestigious tournament and will now be withdrawn from the CAPERS Academy U17AAA squad for this year to play solely in the Canada Games environment.
Iven's achievement came in the wake of the CAPERS talent playing a key role in a dominant Atlantic Championship win for Team NS in Halifax as they blazed through the round-robin section with victories over Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
A Gouthro goal, his second of the tournament, helped them to a 3-0 Final win over New Brunswick and then came the anxious wait for the selection news.
Regional Director of Soccer Development Iain King said: "We are thrilled and proud of Iven's progress and his achievement in making the Canada Games squad.
"He deserves huge credit as the geography of this island often means it is tough for Cape Breton kids to make their mark within the Provincial programs.
"They face many barriers that HRM players do not but throughout his youth soccer career Iven has consistently cleared these and continued to shine.
"One of our major goals in constructing a Tier One Academy now, with expert Strength and Conditioning and Sports Psychology provision alongside their soccer coaching, is to give our island players the same opportunities - if not better - than those on the mainland.
"Iven still has a lot of areas he can improve upon both on and off the field but he is growing as a player and a person each day and he owes a big debt to dedicated club coaches such as Alasdair Dunbar and Kuvy Moodley whose patient work has been a cornerstone of his development."
* OUR picture shows Iven in action for Team Nova Scotia as he represents the island with pride. #ForeverOrange
