Spotlight on the pitch
Younger kids turn to shine in Rankin mini cup soccer tourney
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
RANKIN INLET
Team Canada proved itself dominant by taking both the boys and girls banners in a 12-and-under event premised on the World Cup of Soccer in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.
The boy's champion Team Canada at the U12 World Mini Cup soccer tournament in Rankin Inlet earlier this month are: Sidney Nichol (coach), Leo Kaludjak, Owen ConnellyClark, Justin Towtongie, Brady Tucktoo, Mapsalaaq Komaksiutiksak and Jakob Voisey (coach), back row from left, and Kadin Eetuk, JJ Napayok and Kasma Bruce, middle row from left, and goalie Maximus Ammaq, front. - photo courtesy of Joni Towtongie |
The World Mini Cup was organized by soccer coach Paul Stroeder as a way for local children to keep active on the field with a friendly competition aimed as much at fun and participation as winning.
Stroeder said he came up with the idea as a way of keeping local interest in the sport high following the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
He said there's not a lot of sporting events in Rankin during the fall until hockey starts, so he saw the event as a way to give younger kids a moment in the spotlight who don't normally get to play in a lot of tournaments.
"It gave them the chance to play for something in front of their family and friends," said Stroeder. "We had more than 55 kids play on four boys and three girls teams, with each team representing a country.
"I tried to keep the teams as even as possible by putting some kids on a team who were friends, and some who didn't know each other.
"I also did my best to balance the teams by skill level, so the kids would have lots of fun playing."
Stroeder said the event went well and the kids had a lot of fun participating.
He said there were good crowds watching most of the games, especially in the finals.
"The tournament was all about fun, but you could sure see the competitiveness come out of the boys and girls when they were playing.
"Practice is one thing, but the games tended to get more competitive as the tournament went on.
"Some of that came from all the cheering from the crowd.
"I was amazed by how loud it got in the gym."
Stroeder has called Rankin home for more than six years, and began coaching high school soccer shortly after his arrival.
He stuck with that for a couple of years before taking a year off to recharge his batteries.
Stroeder said after his year away from the sport, he decided to return and work with the younger children.
He said he noticed a lot of kids who were moving to the high school from middle school had never played soccer before, and he wanted to start introducing them to the sport at a younger age.
"It's hard to get them to really develop their skills when they're not starting the sport until they're 13 or 14 years of age. So, by starting them between the ages of nine to 11 they will become all-around better players if they choose to stick with the sport.
"It's important to have soccer available to the younger kids who don't play hockey, or any sport for that matter, because really all they have to do is bring a pair of shoes and come on out.
"I have another gym slot booked to put something together for the younger kids in November so they can come out and have some more fun."
