| Chris
Toy - One of Canada's Most Accomplished Young Players
Chris was
just six years old when a friend convinced him to come out to
a Burnaby Barracuda's water polo practice. He doesn't remember
many details of those early days in the sport. But Chris does
remember having plenty of fun, and learning a lot from
Barracudas' coach Ian Goodman - who was himself in the process
of becoming one of Canada's top coaches and developers of
young talent. "I don't think I remember the very first
game I played, but I remember
wanting to play more. It was a lot of fun to score
goals," Chris recalls. "Ian Goodman was a great
coach and he taught me very quickly about the
Game".
Today, Chris
is one of Canada's most accomplished young players, a fierce
Competitor whose appreciation for the game has never wavered.
"I like being able to be in a team atmosphere. It's not
like swimming where it's all about yourself - and scoring is a
lot of fun." He's now in his sixth year with Pacific
Storm, and was recently named to the Pan Pacific Youth Men's
National Team.
A 16-year-old
honor roll student in Grade 11 at Burnaby Mountain Secondary
School, Chris has fond memories of victories in cadet and
youth nationals in 2004. The championship game at the Cadet
nationals in 2004 is a particular favourite. "We were
down by one goal near the end of the game, but we came back.
Then we went into overtime and we won by one goal. It was
memorable because it was my first-ever nationals win."
He has his sights on winning Youth national titles in 2007 and
2008 - and maybe winning a spot on the Junior or even the
Senior national teams in the near future.
Teammates
describe him as "athletic, stylish and funny."
He loves tough competition because it helps him sharpen his
own game. "Winning and playing well keeps me motivated.
Also, high intensity games help me play better because I get
really focused."
Other sports
interests have included figure skating, hockey and lacrosse.
He believes people who see a high-energy water polo game - or
get first-hand experience by playing it - will be hooked. Down
the road, he's mulling a university degree in kinesiology, and
perhaps a career in sports medicine.
Chris
Toy - One of Canada's Most Accomplished Young Players.
Chris Toy is available for interviews.
Contact:
Cheryl Wilson-Stewart
BC Water Polo-PR
Telephone: 604.737.3148
Email: pr@bcwaterpolo.com
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