2024 ACAC Men's Futsal Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (March 9, 2024) –
North Male Rookie of the Year | Tano Torchia | Keyano Huskies:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Tano Torchia of the Keyano College Huskies has been selected as the 2023-24 ACAC Men’s Futsal North Division Rookie of the Year.
Torchia provided three of the Huskies 37 goals in the 2024 regular season as his side compiled a perfect 10-0-0 record. Torchia and the Huskies finished the regular season with a +19 goal differential.
“I think he was one of the prime candidates that could’ve gotten it in the outdoor season.” Head Coach Niels Slotboom said. “This time around it was undeniable; great job by the other coaches in recognizing it. He’s been great for us, he’s been one of the best players coming into our program. Tano is one of those guys where it’s never questions asked; he does."
“He trusts the process and he buys in fully. This is just a way to show that it’s working that he’s buying in, but it’s great to see the new kids coming in and making an immediate impact in our program.”
A product of Kamloops, B.C., Torchia is in his first year of eligibility studying Environmental Technology. He was part of the Huskies Championship-winning squad in the 2023 outdoor season, finishing with a pair of goals and two assists in 11 games.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Men’s Futsal Championship hosted by Portage College in Lac La Biche, AB.
South Male Rookie of the Year | João Nascimento | Medicine Hat Rattlers:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce João Nascimento of the Medicine Hat College (MHC) Rattlers as the ACAC Men’s Futsal South Divsion Rookie of the Year and the ACAC Men’s Futsal All-Conference for 2023-2024.
New this year to the Rattlers, midfielder Nascimento joined the futsal team in January and was immediately recognized as a top player across the conference. Technically strong with exceptional ball handling and scoring ability, he made his mark on the season.
“In addition to his physical skills, João also has a deep understanding of the game. For a first year student-athlete to be named ACAC Rookie of the Year as well as an ACAC All-Conference, he had to perform at an exceptional level in each and every match,” says Terry Ballard, manager of athletics and recreation.
“Medicine Hat College congratulates João on this impressive accomplishment.”
Nascimento hails from Fortaleza, Brazil and is a business/commerce student at MHC.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Men’s Futsal Championship hosted by Portage College in Lac la Biche, Alberta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca