Internationally the sport of soccer or European football is known as the beautiful game. 

"It's almost like an art form when we are playing it," explained Whitney Todd, 15, who, along with Callie Murphy, 14, are members of the Fraser Valley Zone 3 girls soccer team competing at the BC Summer Games. 

The Maple Ridge teens have been playing soccer since they were both about four-years-old and now both play on the same U-16 team in Port Coquitlam.

They were excited to be chosen for this team. 

"I was pretty excited to like, you know, have the experience, because it's only ever going to happen once," said Murphy. 

And, noted Todd, they are playing with new girls they have never played with before, which is fun and exciting. 

But that is also the challenge. The team have only been working together for the past five weeks, and they are not bonded like a team who has been together for years, explained Todd.

"Learning how each other play, knowing how each other play, it's so important to the game," said Todd.

Especially, said Murphy, when they are playing different formations, they have to adapt to what their coaches want them to do. It's different, she said, but all part of the fun.

Fraser Valley won their first game against Vancouver-Coastal with a single late-game goal in the second half, with only two minutes to go. 

Todd said they had to overcome a lot of butterflies for the win. 

"I definitely think it was back and forth. It was a good fought game," said Murphy of their first game at the BC Summer Games. 

"I think it was just hard for us to finish, especially. But, we got it when we needed it," she added.

Their coach Shannon McDonald said the win was awesome, noting the team were able to channel their nerves into energy.

"We brought this team together, just like every other team in this tournament, they come together with about a month and a half worth of training. Really it's just keeping the girls together, having them gel, and I think just continue on with how we've been playing," McDonald said.

What Murphy and Todd love about the sport is really the people. 

"Like coming out here and just having fun and playing like a fun game is just I think really important," Murphy said. 

And, added Todd, being able to be with others who share their same interests. 

Moving onto their next games, Murphy said, the team needs to adapt to their formation, push with the ball, and move as a unit. 

Todd added, they need to keep their energy up.

"Making sure we have everything that we need and we are all powered up before the game so we are ready to go," she said. 

The 2024 BC Summer Games are being held between Wednesday and Sunday, July 17 to 21, in Maple Ridge. This is the third time in the Games history that Maple Ridge has been the host. This week, an estimated 2,400 athletes (average age is 14 to 15), plus some 500 coaches and officials are here for the competitions being held at sports venues throughout the community and region.
Stay tuned for coverage of the Games at .