鈥淚t still feels like a dream,鈥� says 91原创's Avery Dionne, 11, who captained an undefeated U12 Canadian team to soccer gold at the 2025 Paris World Games.
Dionne led the U12 girls Nike Elite XI Academy team to a gold medal win over Paris FC1 on July 11 in a tightly contested 1-0 final match.
The only Canadian squad in their division, Girls 11, the team didn't lose a game.
They beat RC Argentueil 3-0, Paris FC 2 5-1, Paris 13 Athletico 8-1, Paris FC1 5-1 to reach the semi-final against Paris FC2 where they won 8-0 to set up a rematch against Paris FC1 in the final.
In the finals, it was a close, scoreless contest until the final minutes, when Canadian striker Kennedy Savory took the ball at midfield, split a pair of defenders and fired in the game-winning 鈥� and tournament-winning 鈥� goal
"It鈥檚 something I鈥檒l never forget," Dionne said.
鈥淲e knew we had a chance to do something special. Every game, we played for each other. I鈥檓 so proud of my teammates.鈥�
The largest international event for young athletes, the Paris World Games brings together competitors ranging in age from 10 to 19 from around the world to compete in four sports: soccer, handball, basketball and rugby.
鈥淭he atmosphere, the culture, and the energy in Paris鈥攊t was unbelievable,鈥� Dionne added. 鈥淲e played under the Eiffel Tower, we sang our country anthem with tears in our eyes. It was magic.鈥�
Dionne plans to continue developing her game.
鈥淭his was just the beginning,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready for what鈥檚 next.鈥�
Elite XI soccer program, powered by Nike, is a North American wide initiative for talented soccer enthusiasts between eight and 18.
