As part of CF Montréal's commitment to spotlighting women's soccer in Quebec, CF Montréal accompanied a select group of 27 players from Soccer Québec's Women's Excel Program to a training camp in Paris last April.
This grand adventure for the young players took place a few weeks before the launch of the women's program at the Academy on Wednesday, May 31st.
These Quebec players from secondary 3 to 5 wore the Club's adidas uniforms for the duration of the camp and took part in four matches against teams from the Paris region: Grand Paris Seine Ouest (GPSO), CA Paris 14, Paris FC and the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain.
In this six-part series entitled "Au Féminin", the Club takes you on a journey with this group of young female athletes in France in their quest for sporting excellence.
In the first episode, meet mission leader Sonia Denoncourt, head coach Julie Casselman and her technical staff (Athletic Therapist Joseph Bondoc and Sports Science Manager Félix Sauvestre) as the players recover from their transatlantic voyage and discover Paris.
In the second episode, watch as the players take on their first opponent, professional team CA Paris 14, preceded by an inspiring pre-game speech by head coach Julie Casselman.
In this third episode, meet goalkeeping coach and mental trainer David Odorico, and assistant coach Jesse Acteson. These two roles are fundamental to the players' success in France.
In this fourth episode, the players and staff visit the Parc des Princes, home stadium of Paris Saint-Germain, and the Centre National du Football in Clairefontaine. Two dream places for young players who aspire to have a professional international career one day.
In this fifth episode, the players learn the importance of wearing the Club's jersey as they prepare for their last game against Paris-Saint-Germain.
In the last episode, the players end their journey in France with a last game against Paris Saint-Germain U19. The conclusion of a trip but the first mark in the Academy's Girls program history.
