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RANKIN INLET
Rankin Inlet battled back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Arviat 4-3 in a thrilling final to capture the 2012 Kivalliq Regional Boy's 18-and Under Soccer Championship in Rankin earlier this month.

The Rankin girl's squad defeated Coral Harbour 7-1 to capture the female regional crown.

The boy's division was the closest in recent memory, with Rankin, Coral and Arviat all tied after round-robin play.

Rankin and Arviat advanced due to a better goal differential when head-to-head play couldn't break the tie.

A total of 14 teams participated in the event.

The 18-and-under event was the third regional soccer event Rankin has hosted in a little more than a month.

Soccer board member Heather Campbell said hosting multiple tournaments is a challenge because there's a limited number of volunteers.

She said those who do help out deserve credit because they put in a lot of hours during the weekend.

"Every member of the organizing committee and all the parents who volunteer work at it full time, so they're giving up their free time to help," said Campbell.

"There's also the challenges of feeding that many athletes and having a place to stay for all of them.

"You also have to be able to support the coaches and look after their needs all weekend long."

This year's regional event had teams from Hall Beach and Arctic Bay compete.

Campbell said the decision was made this year to invite any community that wishes to participate in a regional tournament during years the budget allows.

She said accommodations are split between some teams being billeted and others staying at local schools.

"Usually, the teams from closer to our community will billet.

"The Nunavut Soccer Association has opened up the regional tournaments in an attempt to get the kids more playing experience until the funding runs out.

"We held the 14-and-under in October and both the 16-and-under and 18-and-under regionals this month."

Campbell said Lisa Kresky's gymnastics club parents sometimes volunteer to help with the food, and A&K Canteen and Catering catered the past two tournaments. She said Rankin, as the host community, supplies breakfast and supper for the out-of-town teams, but they're on their own for lunch.

"Overall, we're happy with the three events.

"We've never had any major issues, although, certainly, there's some little discipline issues that come up every time, but that's to be expected when you have so many teams here.

"We had very few weather issues for the first two tournaments and all the games went very well.

"We didn't have any serious injuries, and both the kids and the coaches left here happy, as far as we know, so that's, really, all you can ask for."

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