LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Deh Cho soccer players were gearing up for the outdoor soccer season over the weekend.

Tyler Bertrand of Fort Liard kicks a ball towards the net during one of the drills that were part of the Mackenzie Regional Soccer Clinic. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Forty players attended the Mackenzie Regional Soccer Clinic in Fort Simpson from March 25 to 27 to improve their individual skills. Athletes hailed from four communities including Fort Liard, Jean Marie River and Fort Providence in addition to the village.

Isaac Ayiku, a soccer instructor from Yellowknife, worked with the athletes who were divided into two groups. The U14 players focused primarily on individual technique and play including shooting and dribbling.

"They're enthusiastic and very energetic," Ayiku said.

The younger athletes tried hard to successfully do the movements, he said.

With the older U19 group Ayiku was able to work more on gameplay including positioning and passing within groups. They already have an understanding of the game so it's time to fine-tune their movements, he said.

"They've been doing really, really well," said Ayiku.

During the clinic the athletes were also learning from each other because there's a wide range of skill levels in both age groups across the region, said Amy Macdonald of Fort Simpson who assisted with the coaching.

Kody Hardisty-Sangris of Jean Marie River said the clinic was helping him improve a lot of his skills including shooting, dribbling and passing along with controlling the ball.

"It's good," Hardisty-Sangris said.

Tyler Bertrand of Fort Liard also spoke enthusiastically about the clinic. Bertrand, who has played soccer for two years, said he was learning more about shooting and passing.

The clinic was sponsored through the Department of Municipal and Community Affair's Regional Youth Sport Events program.

The event was an overall success, said Shane Thompson, one of the organizers.

"It will give them a little more skill set and things to work on," he said.

The clinic was held on the weekend just before the Connie Loutit Memorial Soccer Tournament that will be held from April 1 to 3 in Fort Simpson. It should help the athletes get prepared, Thompson said.

Thompson thanked local volunteers, the Mackenzie Recreation Association and the Northern Store for helping ensure the clinic ran smoothly.

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