Zakaria Bahous of the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.
Bahous was honoured during the 2021 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship, hosted by the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, AB.
“Zakaria had an incredible year with the Cavaliers Men’s Soccer program this season,” said Alan Rogan, acting CCAA Men’s Soccer Convenor. “It is apparent that he is well respected by his teammates, the coaching staff and in the community, which makes him a worthy recipient of this prestigious CCAA award.”
Bahous, the Cavaliers’ captain, is the heartbeat of the team.
The third-year midfielder led the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) with 10 goals in nine games. Champlain Saint-Lambert went 7-1-2 and finished third in the always competitive conference.
At Champlain Saint-Lambert, Bahous has matured and grown into a leader of the team, both on and off the pitch. The RSEQ Player of the Year demands nothing but the best from himself and sets a high standard with his teammates.
He has also given back to the community, where he coached youth soccer at a local club. Bahous also co-started his own health and fitness start-up through a social media platform, helping young athletes build positive nutrition and training habits.
“Having watched Zakaria grow, not only as a player, but as a student and leader, has been part of an amazing journey over the past few years,” said Vince Amato, Coordinator of Athletics at Champlain Saint-Lambert. “Seeing what he brings to the team and the program epitomizes the idea of being a student-athlete.”
Other nominees for the CCAA Men’s Soccer Player of the Year award were Nima Moazen Zideh of the Capilano Blues (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Eduardo Filho of the SAIT Trojans (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference), Jevontae Layne of the Sheridan Bruins (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association), and Brett Springer of the St. Thomas Tommies (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).
CCAA Player of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of CCAA Championships.
Media Contact:
Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
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