Felix Danquah has come a long way on and off the field during his three years in Canada. That progress has resulted in the 17-year-old being named the Saskatchewan Soccer Association’s Grassroots Player of the Year.
The SSA’s award nominees and some recipients were announced on February 5 and will be presented at an awards banquet on March 23 in Regina.
“It my first time winning that award, so it is really a big thing to me. I am really happy to receive it. I can’t wait to take it in person,” said Danquah.
Danquah has been a standout with the Swift Current United Soccer Club and the Swift Current Comp. Colts since arriving in Swift Current.
“Felix Danquah has been on the SCCHS Colts soccer team for three years and has harnessed his natural ability with a more disciplined approach,” said Colts’ coach Chris Garner. “Felix’s focused approach helped the high school team improve from a last place finish at the SHSAA Provincial tournament in 2017 to fourth place in 2018. I am so very happy for Felix in winning this award and he is most certainly a deserving recipient.”
“I think each year I have been improving. I had great coaches too, they help me with lots of stuff. Same with United, I go for a practice, spend a few hours working,” said Danquah, who added that there is still room for improvement on the pitch.
“I think I have gone pretty far. I wouldn’t say I am the best, but I have gone pretty far. I wasn’t that good when I started playing soccer, but I think good coaching has helped me improve my soccer. I am very thankful for that.”
Danquah moved to Swift Current from Ghana three years ago and said the soccer culture was significantly different in his homeland.
“Soccer was more competitive because they watch how big you are and how tough you are to play soccer. You don’t always get playing time with the older kids because the older kids are probably better than you and more competitive. It wasn’t very good until I came here and then I started taking soccer a little bit serious, plus my education. So I am pretty happy for that.”
Danquah still has another year of soccer in Swift Current left.
“My goal next year is probably to get a scholarship or something. That is going to help me further my education in college or university. That’s my goal right now.”
The Colts are coming off a resurgent season in which they placed fourth at SHSAA 3A Provincials in Saskatoon and were awarded the Sportsmanship Banner. The Colts will host 3A Provincials in October.
“I hope for sure that we get first and win the provincial championship. A couple years back it wasn’t very good and then this year we actually came on fire and got fourth place and that was a very big achievement for us. So I think next year we should be able to win the provincial championship award,” said Danquah.
