LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The slap of running shoes echoes off the walls as they are put through their paces. They jump back and forth over benches, do laps around the circuit, take turns leaping over their teammates as they lie on the floor. And when someone messes up - they do pushups.

Nikita Larter practises in the Fort Simpson recreation complex on Sept. 29. - Kassina Ryder/NNSL photo

No, this isn't military training, this is soccer practice in Fort Simpson.

"If the old guy can do it, you guys can do it," coach Shane Thompson's voice booms throughout the recreation complex as he demonstrates how to properly jump over the benches.

The teams, six boys and six girls, are getting ready to attend the Kugluktuk Invitational Soccer Tournament taking place the weekend of Oct. 30 in Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

This is the first time soccer teams from outside Nunavut have been invited to the tournament.

"It's going to be a really good tournament," Thompson said.

For many of the Fort Simpson kids, it will be their first time visiting Nunavut.

"I'm excited," 13-year-old Winona Cli-Letcher said. "I've never been there before." Teammate Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney agreed. "We've never played there," she said. "It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it."

Kugluktuk coach and tournament organizer Geoff Clark said bringing in players from outside the territory will be a great experience for everyone.

"I'm sure they'll get a kick out of experiencing Nunavut the same way that we often go down to Yellowknife or Fort Simpson for soccer tournaments," he said. "We're quite thrilled to have NWT teams coming."

Thompson said getting a chance to play soccer in the Eastern Arctic will be an excellent experience for the players.

"This is something unique and different," he said.

Kugluktuk is home to the only indoor turf facility in Nunavut, which recreation co-ordinator April Pigalak said community members have been taking advantage of since it was installed last year.

"It's been a pretty popular item this summer, we've had the hall full I think every day since the turf was put in," she said. "I don't know how these kids don't get tired of soccer, but they're in here all the time."

The Kugluktuk soccer teams have been practising almost every evening in preparation for the tournament, Pigalak said.

"Soccer teams have been practising here almost every day this week," she said. "They're pretty excited."

Eighteen-year-old Gordon Thompson said he believes Fort Simpson has a good chance of winning. "We have a strong team," he said.

Clark said approximately 76 players from different communities will descend upon the community during the tournament. Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Kugaaruk, Cambridge Bay and Fort Simpson are all sending teams.

Considering the distances teams travel just to get to Kugluktuk, games will start immediately to make the best use of time, Clark said.

"We'll start as soon as teams get in, we'll hopefully have a few games Friday and we'll go all day Saturday and probably all day Sunday," he said.

Teams will first travel to Yellowknife before taking a chartered First Air jet to Kugluktuk, Clark said.

Fort Simpson's teams have been fundraising since last year to raise money for the trip, Thompson said. He said the tournament has been a long time coming. "They've been excited since last year," he said.

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