LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
More than 100 children and youth from across the Northwest Territories came together in Fort Simpson to play in the Paul Stipdonk Memorial soccer tournament from Feb. 12 to 14.

Fort Liard's Zachary Berreault, left, makes a beeline for the ball while Fort Simpson's Gombee Jose moves to block him. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

The tournament, which was held at the village recreation centre, included 60 children from Bompas Elementary School in Fort Simpson, broken into seven teams with each team coached by Thomas Simpson Secondary School students who made the high-performance soccer team.

Approximately 45 youth came from Behchoko, Fort Liard, Fort Providence and Fort Resolution to play as well.

"The tournament was sponsored by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Mackenzie Recreation Association."

Over the course of the weekend, teams played against each other in a round-robin format, with games running late into the evening Saturday and picking up again at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Youth played in teams broken up by age, with 12 and under, 10 and under, six and under and an under five open playtime.

Tournament named in teacher's honour

The tournament is a legacy of Paul Stipdonk, who passed away in 2013. Stipdonk is still remembered for his passion for soccer.

A longtime teacher at Bompas, Stipdonk was known for coaching youth and even driving a bus to tournaments so youth could take part.

This year, the tournament was graced by Stipdonk's young granddaughter, Lindsey, who helped out the organizers by making sure the under five players had enough water.

Ashley Gillis, the Deh Cho regional youth program officer with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the tournament was a fun way to introduce younger children to the sport.

"There is no winner at the end of the weekend - we don't keep score," she said.

"It's just (for) fun."

Instead of medals, all players received a soccer ball, while the youngest players received water bottles.

Bompas Elementary School's Class 5 teacher Leanne Jose said volunteers from the school and community were responsible for the catering and the canteen, cooking all the meals for the out-of-town students.

Fundraiser for more soccer

The money raised from the canteen will go toward sending students to a soccer tournament in Grande Prairie, Alta., which takes place in early summer.

Jaicee Tsetso, a Class 5 student who played in the age 9 to 12 category, said her favourite game of the weekend was when her team faced off against Behchoko.

"It was a really tough game but I managed to score a goal," she said.

Tsetso said the tournament always gives her an opportunity to meet new people, which is a highlight for her. "I make new friends every time," she said.

The tournament will be followed by the Connie Loutit Memorial soccer tournament for older youth, which kicks off Feb. 26.

That tournament will be bigger, with categories for U12, U14, U16, U19 and an open age division, Gillis said.