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Excitement Builds for 2010 Northwestel Indoor Soccer Championships
Hundreds of young athletes are preparing for some exciting soccer action in the 2010 Northwestel Indoor Soccer Championships, being presented in Whitehorse this weekend by the Yukon Soccer Association.
Games begin on Friday March 26th, at 6 pm and continue through Saturday and Sunday, March 27th and 28th.
This year, 51 teams are registered to compete, including 39 from Whitehorse and 12 from smaller communities. Dawson City will send six teams, Mayo and Atlin will send two teams each, and Haines Junction and Watson Lake will both send one team each.
“We are delighted to see so many teams taking part in the tournament once again this year,” said Anne Kennedy, Northwestel Director Communications. “One of the reasons we have continued to sponsor this event is because it brings together soccer teams from all over the territory, as well as Atlin. The Yukon Soccer Association has created an event that gives young athletes a chance to learn and demonstrate soccer skills and have a lot of fun with other soccer enthusiasts.”
“We are so grateful to Northwestel for the company’s years of dedicated support of soccer in the Yukon,” said Johnny Nunan, Yukon Soccer Association President. “The competition at the tournament gives the players a chance to up their game, which is exciting for all of us, including athletes, parents, referees and organizers. We invite everyone to come out and watch the games. It’s a thrill to see the kids pour their heart and soul into the matches. It’s all about the athletes and this event is one that really showcases them. That’s why we’re so excited about it.”
Teams will compete in six different categories, ranging from seven and under (U7) to 19 and under (U19). The games will take place at a variety of venues, including the Canada Games Centre, Yukon College, F.H. Collins Secondary School and Vanier Catholic Secondary School.
The final game will begin at 3 pm Sunday at the Canada Games Centre. The medal presentations will take place at the Canada Games Centre every hour between 12 noon and 4 pm.
The full schedule of games and other information about the championships can be found on the Yukon Soccer Association website at www.yukonsoccer.yk.ca. Schedules and results will also be posted at each venue.
“The growth in soccer in the Yukon mirrors what is happening in the rest of Canada,” adds Nunan. “I just returned from national soccer meetings, where I learned that Canada is the sixth-highest nation in terms of ticket purchases for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Canada doesn’t even have a team competing, but our enthusiasm for the game is still one of the highest in the world.”
In 2009, Northwestel contributed more than $550,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.
Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.
