Brantford boys set to represent Canada on world stage at United World Games
- Casandra Turnbull
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
Five young athletes from Brantford and area are preparing to pull on the maple leaf this summer as members of Canada’s U13 ball hockey team, bound for international competition at the United World Games in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Evan Fellows, Caius Martin, twins Xavier and Dominic Crone, and Zachary Nieman will represent Canada in floor hockey against teams from around the world, turning years of friendship, hard work and shared rink time into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on the global stage.
For Evan Fellows, 12, of Brantford, the selection is both a personal milestone and a shared celebration with close friends. “It’s a big accomplishment for my journey in hockey and I’m really excited about the memories I will make,” he said. “I’m even more excited to be doing it with my best friends. I feel really proud that I get to represent Canada.”
His parents, Melissa and James Fellows, said the moment Evan learned he made the team was especially memorable after an initial mix-up delayed the news. When confirmation finally came, they said the excitement was immediate, and shared. “He immediately messaged the other boys to tell them,” Melissa said, noting how closely bonded the group has become over years of playing together.
That bond traces back largely to the Brantford Royals ball hockey program, where the boys met and grew together. Caius Martin, 12, who lives in Six Nations, said he has been playing ball hockey since the age of two and joined the Royals at eight. “Together we have won multiple championships over the years,” he said. “I am excited to have this experience with my teammates who over the years have not only become friends but family.”
Twins Xavier and Dominic Crone, both 12, said the news of their selection came with a bit of suspense, and a lot of excitement, after their parents had to confirm whether one or both boys had made the roster. Once confirmed, disbelief quickly turned into anticipation. “Dozens of kids tried out for the team from all over Canada and we were two of the few that were selected,” the twins said. “We are looking forward to experiencing a different country and culture.”
Zachary Nieman, 12, recalled the moment he learned he was headed overseas as almost unreal. “I didn’t believe her, I kept asking ‘are you serious?’ my heart was racing,” he said. “I am very honored… to be able to experience it with all my best friends.”
Beyond the competition, parents say the experience will leave a lasting impact well past the final buzzer. For Melissa Fellows, the trip represents far more than wins or losses. She said travelling internationally, meeting young athletes from other cultures and competing for Canada will teach lessons in confidence, independence and pride that can’t be learned in a classroom.
The opportunity does come with significant costs, and families are turning the journey into a community effort. Fundraisers, sponsorship outreach and online campaigns are underway to support the boys’ “Road to Austria,” with families emphasizing that every bit of support helps.
Supporters can follow the team’s progress and fundraising efforts through Instagram @road_to_austria_going_for_gold or on Facebook: Road to Austria: Going for Gold, attend upcoming community events, or contribute through sponsorships and donations as the boys prepare to take on the world. A Go Fund Me page is active and you contribute by visiting https://gofund.me/b8cb38769
Despite the international spotlight, parents are quick to note the boys are still very much 12-year-olds — joking, arguing over music, eating endless snacks and sharing laughs. “At the end of the day,” Melissa Fellows said, “they’re a group of stinky teenage boys with big dreams, good hearts, and way too much energy.”
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