Two youthful additions to Sooke Celtic FC, Mats Dorsam and Daylon Scheepers, have quickly made a positive impact on the team, both on and off the field.
Dorsam, an 18-year-old midfielder from Saanich, joined the team less than a month ago and has already set his sights on helping them achieve their goals.
“The idea of helping to get the team back to Division 1 play really appealed to me,” Dorsam said. “I’m also really pumped to help out with the run to the Jackson Cup as well.”
Celtic assistant coach Pete McKay is impressed with Dorsam’s addition to the team’s midfield, which he calls the “engine room.”
“Mats is an incredibly gifted player with good footwork and a strong sense of awareness on the field,” McKay said. “His composure on the ball is a strong asset to our team.”
Dorsam, originally from Costa Rica, began playing soccer at the age of four before moving to Canada 10 years ago. He recently played with the Vancouver Island Wave Soccer Academy, a Tier 1 program for youth, and also spent time with a professional U19 academy in Luxembourg.
Adjusting to the senior men’s league has been a learning experience for Dorsam.
“It’s definitely more of a physical game than youth soccer,” he said. “And playing with older players is more physical than what I’m used to. I’m also adjusting to getting advice and direction from the coaches, as opposed to being the lead position in youth soccer.”
Dorsam has been warmly welcomed by his new teammates, making the transition smoother.
“It’s been a warm welcome so far and the players are super nice,” he said. “I think that was helped when the players saw I could actually play.”
Off the field, Dorsam is working towards his future goals. He is currently working two part-time jobs to save for school, where he plans to study kinesiology, nutrition, and health.
“I’m a big, health guy and would like to start a business related to that,” he said. Dorsam is also a certified fascia trainer, specializing in the connective tissue that supports the body.
Scheepers, another new addition to the midfield, brings a wealth of experience to the team.
“He’s the type of player who can control a game for our team,” McKay said.
The 22-year-old midfielder fell in love with soccer at a young age while growing up in South Africa. After moving to Canada in 2015, he played with the Pacific Soccer Institute before joining Sooke Celtic.
“A couple of guys I met at PSI played for Sooke Celtic and told me they were looking for players,” Scheepers said. “I tried out and made the team and started the season with Sooke. It’s been a smooth transition, a great group of guys who made me feel welcome right away. I was surprised by the calibre of play as well. I think this team has a good shot at moving up to Division 1.”
Scheepers, who works as an electrician, is grateful for the opportunity to play for his community team.
“I really appreciate the amount of fans we get out for home games,” he said. “They create such a great atmosphere, and that really makes a difference.”
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