P.E.I.'s Cameron O'Hanley returns to soccer pitch with national team - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 06:32 AM | Calgary | -0.3°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
PEI

P.E.I.'s Cameron O'Hanley returns to soccer pitch with national team

A Charlottetown athlete's dream of playing soccer again is coming true, four years after he suffered a brain injury in a car accident.

Making national para squad feels 'surreal' for athlete who suffered brain injury in accident four years ago

Cameron O'Hanley says he is proud of himself for making the team. (Terrence McEachern/CBC)

A Charlottetown athlete's dream of playing soccer again is coming true.

CameronO'Hanleyjust returned from his first international game in Florida, where he played with Canada's Para Soccer team.

O'Hanley, an avid soccer player,suffered abrain injury in a car accident four years ago and worried he'd never play again.

But after persevering andattending three soccer camps he was named to the team, whichis made up of players who have had a stroke, brain injury or have cerebral palsy.

"I wasn't very confident,"O'Hanleyadmitted.

Stronger person

Now, the 21-year-old says he's very excited to have the opportunity to travel and play with the team.

O'Hanleysaid the team will travel to Argentina in September.

"It feels surreal 'cause I don't think I ever would have played atan international level if my accident didn't happen."

O'Hanley told Island Morning the accident made him a stronger person.

"It was a very horrible thing that happened to me but the way I've dealt with it I've learned so much about myself," he said. "I'm just really proud of myself and beyond happy."

O'Hanleysaid he appreciated the support the team gave him during his first international game.

"Being able to wear my country'scolours again...to be able to do it again, I can't even explain it."

With files from Island Morning