Whispering Hills Primary School was bustling with soccer players from all over the region last Saturday, for the annual Athabasca Soccer Tournament.
Over 420 players, 67 coaches and 45 teams made their way to Athabasca from Boyle, Lac La Biche, Wabasca, Redwater, Smoky Lake, Bruderheim and Grassland.
Teams were divided into U6, U8 and U10 categories, with each team playing a minimum of three games. The U10s played a final game and trophies were awarded to first, second and third place.
Athabasca Strikers United FC took home first place, followed by Lac La Biche Girl Power in second. Third place went to the Athabasca Strikers.
For teams that didn’t make the final four, the players were awarded participation medals.
The tournament also featured a raffle table with bikes from Deerland—“They went to some extremely excited kids,” tournament chairperson Cyndi Logelin remarked — as well as a remote-controlled truck, blow-up ball, scooter, a girls’ pack with summer clothes.
A toonie ball and money from the 50/50 raffle was also up for grabs.
Despite the clouds and winds, the weather held out.
“The kids love it,” said Logelin,. “They’ve been excited and they’re happy it’s not raining.”
The annual event was the first year organized by Logelin, who partnered with co-organizer Kathryn Cyr to bring the event together.
“The tournament was a success, with just a few things to keep in mind for next year, like more port-a-potties,” she noted.
Logelin also had a big thank you to the volunteers who assisted with set up, manning the raffle table, Christopher’s Concession for the food, as well as WHPS principal Lorna Kravontka for the school fields, washrooms and garbage containers.
“She’s fantastic and so very supportive,” she said.
