INUVIK - For the first soccer practice of the year, Brittaney Watters couldn't believe how gruelling it had been.

"We had to do 20 minutes of hard cardio to start with, and the rest we spent doing circuit training," she said.

Samuel Hearne Secondary School girls 15-and under team will be travelling to the annual Super Soccer tournament in Yellowknife during the weekend of April 30. The team includes, back row, from left, Amie Charlie, Jessica Pierrot, Allison Baetz, Meredith Baskin. Front row, Jacinta Larocque, coach Cristy Latham and Brittaney Watters. Missing from photo: Chelsea Lennie and Danita Frost- Arey. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

That was about two months ago when Samuel Hearne Secondary School held its first girls' 15 and under soccer practice.

Their new coach, Cristy Latham, who's also the school's physical education, science and math teacher, brought along a new philosophy. Having played since she was four-years-old, Latham has a pretty good idea of what it takes to win.

"Soccer's such an endurance game so if the girls can out run the other teams then we have a great advantage," she said.

All the extra laps seemed to have paid off for Watters, who said she's feeling fitter than ever.

"She pushes us to be our best," said Watters, who plays defence on the squad. "It's made a difference. I don't find practices nearly as gruelling anymore."

Since there are only eight players on the squad, the girls need to be ready when they travel to the annual Super Soccer tournament in Yellowknife during the weekend of April 30. They'll be accompanied by the school's 19 and Under boys team.

This weekend, a 14 and under girls and boys team from SHSS will be competing in the junior portion of the tournament.

Latham is quick to point out that her girls are always willing to do what it takes to improve. The squad meets for two one-and-a-half hour practices each week but many of the players spend several extra hours in the gym fine tunning their skills.

"No matter what I suggest to these girls they're up for it. Even if it's running through the halls for 20 minutes, they're on board with it. They just haven't played competitively very much."

The only real competition the squad has seen was during the Beaufort Delta Education Council festival in Fort McPherson last month, where they got a chance to play against other teams in the region.

Though the girls are wishing for a title, Latham said it won't be the end of the world if that doesn't happen.

"The greatest thing would be to win, but most of all I hope they just have fun," she said. "They're just so excited about getting out of Inuvik to play other teams."

Being a good defensive squad with strong team chemistry, the girls should more than hold their own, said Watters.

"We've been working together for a long time so we know each other and we know our strengths and weaknesses."

Teammate Chelsea Lennie, is looking forward to battling for the title and having plenty of fun, too.

"I think we're going to do really good," she said. "We've worked hard fundraising a lot. We've got a good team and a good coach. It will be a lot of fun."