LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Soccer players in the Deh Cho are no stranger to futsal - a form of soccer that focuses on tight ball control.

Keirah Simon takes aim at the soccer ball. Behind her, to the left, is Fiona Yendo and Mikala McLeod. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Their skills were put to the test during a regional futsal camp held in Fort Simpson on Sept. 31, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

The camp was one of several run across the territory by the Northwest Territories Soccer Association.

Males born between 2001 and 2006 were invited to attend, as well as females born between 2000 and 2006. Students from Fort Simpson's Bompas Elementary School and Thomas Simpson Secondary School paired off with seven youth from Fort Liard for the camp.

According to the association, one of the goals of the camps was to identify players who are skilled enough to move on to a final selection camp for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games 16U Male and Female Team.

Both male and female teams had three training sessions over the course of the weekend in the gymnasium of Thomas Simpson Secondary School.

The weekend included a community coach training session on Oct. 1 and a coaches' meeting on Oct. 2 to discuss teaching methods and training plans.

Oct. 1 wrapped up around 8 p.m. after two back-to-back games, first for the female players and then for male.

Following a heated game that day, Fiona Yendo said the camp went well and she was happy with how she played.

"It was fun," she said of the game.

Lydia Nelner said her team scored eight goals during the game, with her acting as defence.

Two coaches from the Northwest Territories Soccer Association were on-hand for the camp. Tonya Huck ran the female team's games, while Harji Sidhu ran the male team.

Aside from playing soccer games, youth were also run through a series of training exercises designed to test their ball control. Those included passing the ball with a specified foot.

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