JIMMY HAMROUNI TAKES ONE MORE STEP INTO CANADIAN PRO SOCCER

Jimmy Hamrouni believes in laying the groundwork.

 

A former professional and national team player in the North African nation of Tunisia, Hamrouni announced the launch of a professional soccer team for Kingston, Ontario last July and used City Hall of that community to make the announcement.

 

Kingston will play in the CSL’s first division to kickoff  May, 2012.

 

“But, there’s lots to do before kickoff day and we intend to be ready so that this wonderful community will be proud of their soccer team,’’ said Hamrouni while explaining an upcoming CSL second division game between his present team, Prospect FC and TFC Academy II, an academy team from Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.

 

Queen’s University is the venue for this coming Saturday’s clash, the first official game to be played by CSL teams in Kingston, one of Canada’s most picturesque communities.

 

Prospect FC travelled to Maple, just north of Toronto, to play exhibition games against CSL reserve teams almost weekly in 2010 and this year was entered officially into the CSL second division where they have been playing against the second string of some of the toughest in North America.

 

 

“We’ve learned a lot, but it’s all part of the process to take on professional teams next year that have been around for decades,” he said.

 

 Toronto Croatia, formed 1956 and Serbian White Eagles, about the same time, have won the North American championship. London City 1973, St. Catharines Wolves are storied teams in Canada’s only professional soccer league.

 

Hamrouni doesn’t know what to expect from his opposition on Saturday, but he does know that Toronto FC’s academy system at one time recently included 13 players listed by Canada’s U17s and seven actually made it to the U17 World Cup.

 

He knows too, that they are some of Canada’s best young players because six from the academy (Henry, Cordon, Morgan, Stinson, Makubuya and Lindsay) all have graduated to first team pro contracts.

 

Hamrouni knows what soccer academies are all about — he has a presence in several locations in Ontario and Quebec and will soon add a soccer academy for girls. His daughter, Layla, plays for St. Joseph‘s College of Maine.

 

He’s planning to take a team to the Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup in February, an international showcase event with teams from three continents. He’d like fans to come along and plans an attractive package, all inclusive flight, hotel to encourage.

 

It’s all part of laying the groundwork that will lead to next year’s launch, but this weekend it’s Prospect FC at the Tindall Field at Queen’s University in Kingston, a 7 pm kickoff on Saturday, September 24.

 

To contact Prospect FC, soon to be known as Kingston FC, call 613 770-6400 or 613 276-1690