Yellowknife’s St Patrick High School and Hay River’s DJSS both picked up three titles as the 2015 Super Soccer tournament concluded.
Each school earned three senior titles over the weekend – St Pat’s taking a trio of gold medals in the AA categories, and DJSS scooping three A championships.
Around 1,100 players representing more than 90 teams took part in this year’s junior and senior Super Soccer tournaments in Yellowknife.
One team, from Whale Cove in Nunavut, spent three years fundraising to make it to the event.
“A lot of kids raise a lot of money to get here,” said organizer Fraser Oliver.
“The event is open for all of those teams and it’s amazing when they come. They bring so much character and presence to our tournament.
“It brings such a cool partnership for kids, the friendships they build over the years.”
Meanwhile, young players were also introduced to futsal, a modified version of indoor soccer that will be played at next year’s Arctic Winter Games in Greenland.
Demonstration sessions of the fast-paced sport, which takes place indoors but features a smaller ball and no use of boards, were held on both Super Soccer weekends.
“The performance of the athletes was so refreshing to see – the speed of play was far quicker than anything I’ve seen, there was movement all over,” said NWT technical director Huw Morris.
“You know what? It was looking really good.
“It’s going to help the out-of-city teams around the territory because all you need now is a basketball floor, that’s the size. Now we can really work on enhancing these young athletes’ skills in the NWT.”
The deadline to apply to coach one of the NWT’s Arctic Winter Games futsal teams is tonight (Monday, May 4).
2015 Super Soccer champions
GIRLS
19 and under AA: Sir John Franklin High School, Yellowknife
19 and under A: Coral Harbour, Nunavut
15 and under AA: St Patrick High School, Yellowknife
15 and under A: DJSS, Hay River
14 (Grade 8): William McDonald Middle School, Yellowknife
12A (Grade 7): Weledeh Catholic School, Yellowknife
12B (Grade 6): William McDonald Middle School, Yellowknife
BOYS
19 and under AA: St Patrick High School, Yellowknife
19 and under A: DJSS, Hay River
15 and under AA: St Patrick High School, Yellowknife
15 and under A: DJSS, Hay River
14 (Grade 8): Haines Junction, Yukon
12A (Grade 7): Iqaluit, Nunavut
12B (Grade 6): William McDonald Middle School, Yellowknife
