The noise coming from Ted Dixon fields last Saturday was from approximately 300 U7 to U9 future soccer stars as they wound up their season with a year-end jamboree.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. it was perpetual motion -all enthusiasm and energy. If I could bottle that, I would save a case for myself and make a fortune selling the rest. Everyone had big smiles and lots of camaraderie.
Thanks to the Sechelt Band for opening the concession stand to keep fans warm and players stoked with fuel for their efforts of the day and to Tim Hortons for the Timbits and hot chocolate to top off the day. Co-ordinator Dean Schutz once again had everything organized so the day went as smooth as silk.
In Gibsons, co-ordinator Chris Marshall had his 10 teams of U11 players going great guns at Brothers Park.
Marshall had the teams arranged into two groups of five teams with competition level the key. Every game was close with no large scores or lopsided results. A happy bunch of eager soccer players earned their "participation medals" with a show of good sportsmanship. Thanks to Gibsons Lions Club for excellent food at the concession stand.
Back in Sechelt, co-ordinator Nadine Slingerland helped organize the two-day U13 girls' and boys' tournament at Kinnikinnick Park.
Six boys' teams competed alongside the seven girls' teams in a round robin format with semi-finals and finals on Sunday.
The boys' final featured Keith Julius' Earthquakes and James Marshall's White-caps. It was a great game and took overtime to decide a winner as Earth-quakes scored the only goal. Earthquakes also won the league championship and Whitecaps were the second place challenger.
Bill Saunders' Icebergs played it cool in the girls' final to edge Miranda Joe's Red Hot Chili Peppers 1-0. A lot of good football with some very good talent on display. Thanks to Natalie and Darren Smith for pulling double duty as they each coached a team and still found time to help organize the concession stand put on by the Sunshine Coast Girls Softball Association.
In spite of the snow on Sunday night, the weekend was perfect for soccer tournaments. There was a cold wind, but only the fans noticed as the players put so much energy into their games that they didn't notice the weather.
Now we can look forward to the March 28 and 29 weekend for the U15 and U18 boys' and girls' tournaments. The girls play at Kinnikinnick Park and the boys will be at Hackett Park (U15) and Gilker Park (U18). Be there and see some very entertaining football.
