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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Four Fort Simpson athletes will be representing the village while playing soccer, or football as it's known in Scotland, at an international event.

Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney, seen here at the Rock Around the Clock Indoor Tournament, will be playing goalie for the Fort Simpson team competing in the International Children's Games in Lanarkshire, Scotland. - photo courtesy of Katherine Dempsey

Madison Pilling, Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney, Janelle Bruneau and Golia Cazon will be competing at the International Children's Games in Lanarkshire, Scotland, beginning on Aug. 8. Morgan Lirette of Grande Prairie, Ashley Pilling of Thompson, Man. and Tessa Park of Whitehorse will round out the team.

Val Gendron, who normally coaches the four Fort Simpson athletes on the Velocity soccer team, learned about the competition while coaching four speedskaters at the winter version of the games in Kelowna, B.C., in January.

"I though it would be a great opportunity for the girls to compete in an international competition," Gendron said.

By attending the games, the girls will get to travel, meet youths from around the world and play soccer, she said. The opportunity to go was opened up to all the girls aged 12 to 15 on the Velocity team.

The trip will cost $23,000. The team has fundraised approximately $4,000 through car washes, bake sales, catering and donations.

Each participant, 11 people including coaches and chaperones, is also responsible for paying $1,600 a piece.

In Lanarkshire the girls will be playing six-a-side football against teams from around the world. Nsahanni-Kwasney, 15, said she is expecting some tough competition, especially since the team has had trouble arranging practices around everyone's summer activities.

"It's probably going to be really busy because of all of the teams," said Nahanni-Kwasney, who will be in the net.

In addition to playing soccer at an international event, something no one on the team has done, Nahanni-Kwasney said she's looking forward to all of the different places the team will be visiting.

Before the games, the team is going on some cultural excursions. They will spend three days in London beginning on July 27 followed by a day in Glasgow. They will also take a side trip to Oban and spend three days in Edinburgh. Nahanni-Kwasney said she particularly wants to go to London and see as much as possible.

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