The shíshálh Labour Day Soccer Tournament this past weekend – Sept. 3 and 4 – was a big success.
Four women’s teams and 10 men’s teams competed at Ted Dixon Park in Sechelt.
Volunteers came forward to help ref the games for the Saturday matches, which helped tremendously after a miscommunication with the official referees. Thank you to Troy Mayers, Landon Dixon, Skinny Feschuk, Kevin August, Marty August and Steve Peel.
Everyone had a good day with no major injuries reported, and only one minor sprain.
On Saturday afternoon, local Kaliwans took on Sliammon from Powell River. These two teams played a gentlemen’s game. They battled the field like they were playing for the World Cup.
Bragging rights for our nations were at stake – the game ended in a 3-3 tie and ended in shootouts. With five shooters from each team, Sliammon ended up winning 5-4 with a shot on the courageous goalies who tried their hardest in net.
On Sunday, one field had the local Renegades face off against Musqueam from Vancouver in a very intense game.
Musqueam won that game 3-2 which moved them forward to the finals. On the other field, local Gibsons team Coast Grind took on the Fujis – also local – named after and in memory of the captain Denny August’s dad. Coast Grind won that game and moved forward to the finals versing Musqueam.
Sem:ath Warriors went up against the Fujis in the consolation for third and ended up sharing a bronze medal victory, after a dispute over an illegal shooter.
The final game got so intense for the fans – and especially for refs – that the game had to be abandoned; it was too harsh for kids at the field. The organizers and refs all agreed this game could not continue for the safety of everyone.
The women’s tournament brought out players who haven’t been on a soccer pitch in years. The laughs and fun that were had made this tournament worth the work. The Squamchelt women took the tournament; this team consisted of both Squamish and Sechelt players. Local team the Summer Sweethearts came in second.
The Sweethearts played with all their hearts in honour of the beloved Summer August who will remain forever in our hearts. The Sto:lo women from Chilliwack came with just enough players to take third place. The fourth-place team, Shapeless, played with heart and tummy giggles throughout the whole tournament. They showed the meaning of fun for the game we all love to play.
This Memorial Tour-nament will be an annual Labour Day tournament, organized to heal our hearts for those who were ripped from our lives.
A big thank you to all who participated to help make this weekend happen; the work that was done did not go unnoticed. We have our own personal angels who are always with us, we felt their presence and they showed us all weekend that they were there. Thank you to our sponsors who helped us pay for the All Star shirts to honour our loved ones and helped pay for the referees and concession stand food: Lehigh Heidelberg Cement Group, Salish Soils, Coastland Wood Industries Ltd., Krest Logging Ltd. and Your Independent Grocer.
