For the last week, more than 500 soccer players from coast to coast to coast have called the Quinte region home, as part of the Toyota National Soccer Championships.
The City of Quinte West, with support from Volunteer and Information Hastings-Prince Edward, Quinte West Soccer Club, and Bay of Quinte Tourism, put on the event, which drew thousands of spectators over the five days of play.
With a cold and windy Bay of Quinte as the backdrop Monday, several games were held across multiple fields, including the bronze and gold medal games for the U15 Boys and Girls.
During penalty time, in the boys’ final between Burlington and Edmonton, the Ontario club scored in the final minute, unleashing pandemonium on the field.
That would prove to be the winner in the very tight game. Okanagan went on to defeat Halifax in penalty kicks to win the bronze.
MORE BELOW
The Edmonton Warriors Soccer Club celebrates winning the U15 Girls Championship (Toyota National Championships Twitter)
On the girls’ side, Edmonton defeated Saskatoon 3-0 to win gold. Guelph would take the bronze.
A team from Yellowknife Northwest Territories also took part in the tournament, and not only did they score their first goal ever in tournament play, they also won their first game.
MORE BELOW
Tracey Legault-Davis (bottom right) from the Local Organizing Committee presents a game ball to the Yellowknife Soccer Club, after the team won their first game and scored their first goal in tournament history (Photo: Submitted to Quinte News)
Throughout the course of the national tournament, coaches, fans, and players marveled at the quality of the soccer fields and the execution of the event.
Andrew MacDonnell was the Match Commissioner from Canada Soccer and tells Quinte News the tournament was incredible.
“The level of volunteer help, the field quality from Keely and his crew has been absolutely amazing. These fields are some of the best I’ve seen across the country. The amount of work that they’ve put in, the amount of people that are around. We haven’t had to really worry about anything.”
MORE BELOW
Burlington Force
He adds it is his favourite tournament of the year.
“You just see the passion that these kids have, as they put it all on the line. To watch both teams ecstatic to play and although there is the agony of defeat, they’re so amazing and so happy to see them when they receive their medals. The quality has just been incredible.”
