Just 18 years after attending the inaugural Girls Only Soccer School, Patti Bliss has finally received her own T-shirt commemorating the experience.
Bliss was 15 when she attended the very first Girls Only Soccer School, which still runs each summer in Salmon Arm. Her daughter Andrea, who is six, is attending this year’s camp.
Along with being able to practise the same soccer fundamentals, the mother-daughter duo now have matching Girls Only Soccer School T-shirts.
Patti explained how when she attended camp, there was not enough girls registered for shirts. This year, however, Patti asked organizer Tricia Martin if she could order one and, 18-years later, she finally has her shirt.
“I think it’s pretty neat that my daughter can go to something that I did when I was younger,” said Patti. “The camp is a good way for them to learn how to be part of a team.”
Patti, who is currently on the Salmon Arm Masters team TED United, has been playing soccer most of her life. She loves the sport for its competitiveness and all the running it entails.
Andrea, who has been playing since she was three, is following in her mothers footsteps with her love of the sport.
“I like soccer because it’s fun and I never want to stop playing it,” said Andrea, noting she likes when her mom can play too.
Patti and Andrea both want to keep playing soccer for years to come, and they often take time to kick a ball around together every in the backyard.