Bexley boy coaches Canada footie team to Tokyo Olympic gold

Football coach Adam Day said it was "surreal" that a boy from Bexley had walked away with an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020, but said what they'd achieved still hadn't truly settled in.

Canada beat Sweden on penalties to win an emotional first major tournament victory at the tournament, helped by the south east Londoner who worked with the team as a winning team.

Adam said the support from home "went up a notch" after the team made history beating the US to reach the final, before a penalty-shootout victory saw them win the showpiece event.

Adam helped Canada beat the US in the semi-finals, before besting Sweden in a penalty-shootout in the final of the Tokyo Olympics

Inspired by his Bexley upbringing, Adam told the News Shopper that he hoped the success would provide youngsters, including his own daughter, with role models to inspire them, just as he had as a kid.

Growing up in Sidcup, the 37-year-old said he was surrounded by football.

He played football for Charlton from age seven to 15, and with his brother at Arsenal, he spent every Saturday watching one of the two clubs.

"I've been very lucky with my football upbringing, and I didn't appreciate it at the time but everything that's come to me, my travels, education, coaching, all of its come to me from football.

"And it's stood me in good stead to sit here as a boy from Bexley who's just walked away with a gold medal for the women's national team so it's pretty surreal.

Adam was born in Sidcup and spent most of his childhood in Welling, but as a teenager was offered a footballing scholarship in the US, and the programme saw him move to Oklahoma.

He played football there for four years, but ended up in Vancouver after MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps offered him a trial, and according to Adam "I just ended up staying."

"My family have always been aware that I tend to try something different different and move around.

Adam started his coaching badges early before taking on community football roles, and then worked with current national side manager Bev Priestman on the women's side of the Vancouver Whitecaps system.

"I've been with the team for around six months now, it was an entirely new team when we came in and well we've had a pretty good start.

Arriving in Tokyo, Adam said at first, "we were just enjoying that moment of being at the Olympic Games. There was a bit of nervousness and apprehension for us all.

"And its like that with every tournament. You want to start well, and we got points on the board early, effectively securing us a place in the knockout stages.

"You always know the pressure and te intensity ramps up then as it's win or go home.

"After beating Brazil in the quarter finals on penalties, there was a great sense of relief because we knew we were going to be playing for a medal no matter how the semi finals went."

"Then everything intensified; the messages, the media coverage, everything led into the USA game. Historically it's been a grudge match between the two countries, and one we always lose.

Canada face the US in a big semi-final clash - The Olympic Games

"I think for 20 years we hadn’t managed to beat the US, so that really wrapped up everything for us. They are e one of the top sides in the world, so it was a massive game.

"We road the moments well, got our chance and took it, and then after that, you really felt how big that win was, not just around the world and here in Canada too.

"As a coach it was special - there were a lot of players who hadn’t beaten us in their entire carer, and getting to the final we knew we had a silver medal as a minimum.

"From the beginning one of our objectives was to change the colour of those bronze medals, and so the pressure was off because we'd done that. So it was really a challenge to the players, how much do you want to give this a go to try and get gold, you’ve nothing to lose.

"Sweden were probably the best team in the tournament, best in the world, so they were huge favourites, so the pressure was off us to really give it a go.

"And obviously, it was unbelievable that its worked out and we’ve walked away as gold medallists, it is pretty surreal to be honest.

The Olympic Games

"We knew there was a good pedigree within the group, they'd achieved back-to-back Bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Canada has always been one of the pioneers of women's football.

"When we came in we focused on making sure we were still defensively sound, and tried to improve the efficiency going forward. We are a team that needs to create more opportunities than we have done, and it's about when you're in that moment, being ruthless with it.

"Looking back at the tournament we didn't have loads of chances, but the ones we got we took, so that's been a big success."

"My own daughter is eight years old and watches football - she's very much surrounded by football with her dad and her uncles all professional coaches.

"But there's nothing which has replicated her watching the Olympic final and the semifinals, and then wanting to go out and kick the ball around in the back garden.

"After winning, there was a little bit of shock for everyone, because as much as he knew and had said we wanted to win, you know how difficult it is to win any competition.

"It still hasn't sunk in yet, but I've been saying to the staff to just enjoy this moment. This will never been beaten, only matched.

"We're the first Canadian side to win gold, will the men every do it I don't know. But as a coach, seeing all your work pay off is great, but as a coach you just watch the excitement and enjoyment of the players, and that gives you arguably the greatest satisfaction.

"My family have been so proud of me, I think going into the Games everyone was wishing us the best, and I think the Olympics was different this type around with Covid protocols. But once we reached the semi-finals and beat the US, the interest definitely increased and people back home really started to get into it and get in touch.

"All of it's been such an unbelievable experience, and my family was such a big part of that. I've been away for most of the last 10 weeks and that's taken a big toll on my family, so it's a big thank you to my wife and family for supporting me, and I'm glad it worked out.

"My wife is from Vancouver, but ironically I met her in Oklahoma, and I've been in Canada for pushing 14 years now.

"There is a good football culture here, although it's nothing like it is back home, and I'm very proud of my roots.

"It's not where I originated but I think this is the family home base for the long-term now, but I'll always be a lad from Bexley."