ANB ACADEMY PLAYERS UPDATE

January 4, 2012 (RELEASE) -- The ANB Academy is pleased to provide an update on the following ANB Academy players who have progressed in their soccer careers.

Professional Trials

Mathieu Brisbois, a 16 yr. old Goalkeeper from the Ottawa region (Association de soccer de Gatineau), and identified by professional French coaches in ANB's International ID Camp in 2011, has been invited by St. Etienne Football Club (Ligue 1) & Troyes Football Club (Ligue 2) for a week-long trial at each club.

Zach Sukunda, originally from Ottawa, was identified in ANB's first ID Camp in 2009 at the age of 13. He has been invited to train over the past two years with AJ Auxerre in France and has now been offered an "education scholarship". He was recently named "Athlete of the Week" for 27 Oct. 2011 http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110106/OTT_athlete_of_the_week_2011/20110106/?hub=OttawaHome4
Gaetano Gesualdi, 19 years old, went to Malta last year and played the season with Qormi FC. He is presently on trial with Marsaxlokk FC, from the Maltese Premier Division.

Lucas Gesualdi, a 17 year old ANB player, has also been offered a trial with Marsaxlokk FC and is being considered for the U-20 Maltese National team.

University Scholarships

Jason Mills, started 16 games as a freshman in Div. 1 soccer at IPFW (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and was named Offensive Player of the Week on 10 Oct. 2011. Head Coach Mike Harper says of his progress, "Jason made a big impact for the Don's this season as a freshman. Mills ended up with 4 goals and 6 assists on the year. Also scoring a goal against Duke University in a pre season exhibition game. Jason was honored with 2nd team All-Conference, All-Newcomer team, and made the all Tournament Team for the conference finals with a goal and an assist. It was a pleasure to work with Jason this fall. We look for Mills to be one of the top strikers in the conference and Mid West for the next 3 years."

Emeka Ononye ("Emy"), played in 19 games as a freshman at Wright State, a Div. 1 college in Dayton, Ohio. Assistant Coach David Korn says, ""Emeka was an integral part of Wright State's success this season. He played in 19 of 20 games, starting the vast majority of those, including starting and playing every minute of the Horizon League Championship game. He earned his starting spot through consistent play in center midfield, and his contributions were a reason our team was able to go from 9th place last season to 2nd place this year. We believe Emeka will continue to develop and build on his successful freshmen season."

Haydon Armstrong, played on the University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team, studying Environmental Science. The team finished 5th in the Canada West conference of Canada Interuniversity Sport.

Michael Mikurenda, played on the York University Men's varsity soccer team this past fall, helping the team to a first place finish in their league. He was also awarded with the inaugural SAAC university award for student-athletes.

"It is very exciting to see positive progress of these athletes. >From a very small academy of only 150 members, we are proud to be able to provide these opportunities for our players," says Academy Director, Bassam Naim.

ANB academy's vision is to become Canada's leading soccer development organization. Its mission is to identify Canadian soccer talent, and to maximize the potential of players at any level, through professional coaching and training.

For more information on the programs offered by ANB academy, check out our website site at www.anbfutbol.com or by telephone at 905-313-8661 or via e-mail at info@anbfutbol.com