Fun comes first at year end Prince Rupert youth soccer tournament

Charles Hays Secondary was the scene of the Under-10 Youth Soccer Tournament on Saturday, June 22, with every young player in Prince Rupert coming together to celebrate another successful season.

While coaches still called out instructions from the sideline, the focus was less on keeping score and more on having fun and building a love for the game. This was reflected in the post tournament medals, handed out for good sportsmanship rather than for results.

Kristina De Araujo, U-10 division coordinator and organizer of the event, said instilling a fondness for soccer is always priority number one.

“My son and his whole school play at lunch time, the school that I work at all plays at lunch time,” said De Araujo. “I think days like this are fun because they’re still friendly. If they’re having fun, they’re happy.”

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Kids were split up into six teams for the event, playing three games against other squads. This was followed by the always popular parents versus kids game, where the adults could put their talents to the test against their young proteges, (occasionally with humbling results.)

Andrew Bowler spent his day coaching the Mission Health and Wellness sponsored team. All the coaches are volunteer parents, and Bowler said he performs this role in hopes of inspiring the next generation.

“When the kids have fun then they get passionate about the sport, and then they want to keep on playing,” said Bowler. “Soccer was my big sport growing up, so I’m hoping to pass on that passion that I have for it.”

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For those kids who develop this passion, there are a pair of summer camps coming to Prince Rupert where they can showcase their skills. The DP World GoalGetters soccer camp will take place July 8-12, followed by the Vancouver Whitecaps development camp coming to town from July 29 to Aug. 2.