It's going to be a soccer summer for Mile 108 twin sisters Sydni and Olivia Poggenpohl.
The girls recently had the opportunity to play with the U12 Girls European Football School (EFS) team from Vancouver at the Slurpee Cup in Kamloops. It came on invitation from head coach Saibo Talic who was familiar with the girls after conducting the EFS soccer camp in 100 Mile House and other communities in the Cariboo.
During the Kamloops tournament, both Sydni and Olivia earned MVP awards through nominations from the opposing teams and Olivia scored the team's lone goal of the tournament.
The sisters also attended Zone 8 BC Summer Games tryouts in Quesnel recently and just got word that both made the team. They were among 12 of about 40 hopefuls to make the cut, and according to Olivia, they are both very happy.
"We thought about how it would make the other feel if one of us didn't make it, but decided we would be OK with it and move on," she says.
Sydni says all of the girls at tryouts were very good and making the cut gives her more confidence about her abilities.
"I didn't know if we'd make the team and I'm very thrilled and excited about it. I'm looking forward to playing and meeting new people."
The girls will be practising every Sunday in Prince George leading up to the games.
"It's a very long drive, but worth it," says Sydni.
Olivia plays centre midfield with her home team in 100 Mile House and has been playing right midfield with the games team. Sydni usually plays right midfield and has been getting lots of practice time on defence with her new team.