They may be the smallest base in the region, but when it comes to the beautiful game 15 Wing Moose Jaw has also been the best.
The local Canadian Forces Base will be the host for the Canadian Forces Prairie Region men’s soccer championships starting today.
“It will be a very strong calibre of soccer competition,” said Ted Schaeffer, fitness, sport and recreation director for 15 Wing who is the tournament chairperson. “Our men’s team in the past has played in the elite league in Regina. So that’s kind of the calibre that you’re looking at.”
The tournament will feature five teams from the three prairie provinces — 4 Wing Cold Lake, CFB Edmonton, CFB Shilo, 17 Wing Winnipeg and the hosts from 15 Wing.
The tournament will also feature the women’s development camp that is running at the same time.
“That camp is to select the prairie region women’s team for nationals,” said Schaeffer. “The bases aren’t big enough to have individual women’s teams, so we select a women’s team from the entire region to play in the national championships on the women’s side.”
The team from 15 Wing has won the region every year since 2006.
“We’re the champs and everybody is going to be trying to knock us off,” said Dave Keddy, coach of the 15 Wing Moose Jaw team. “It’s going to be some good competition.”
Round-robin games will be held at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Following the round-robin, the top four teams will advance to Saturday’s semifinals. The final is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday. All of the games are at the Sunningdale Fields.
The winner of the men’s tournament will represent the prairies at the Canadian Forces men’s soccer nationals.
For more please see Thursday's Times-Herald.
