For the last four years, the best Aboriginal football players from across Canada met up annually to take part in the 6 Nations Challenge.
This year's tournament, held in Brandon, Man., featured teams from Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There were 75 players in total for the six-a-side football competition.
Three players on the Saskatchewan team were members of the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings. Defensive end Ethan Peyachew and linebackers Maddy Swindler and Eric Wahobin represented the Vikings. Along with them was the high school's assistant football coach Justin Pooyak, who was chosen as Saskatchewan's head coach for the event.
The purpose of the 6 Nations Challenge is to get more Aboriginal players involved in football and to better develop players. Having six players rather than 12 also builds other skills because players aren't confined to a single position.
The tournament began Aug. 14 with a shootout challenge. Teams were given series of 10 plays, beginning at the opposing team's 45-yard line, to decide the seeding. Manitoba went 2-0, beating both Saskatchewan and Quebec. The final of the three games, between Quebec and Saskatchewan, ended in a 36-36 tie.
Saskatchewan lost both of its mini-games Saturday. The first, 46-36 to Quebec. The second was more lopsided as Manitoba beat them handily, 44-14.
The final came down to a matchup between undefeated Manitoba and Quebec, whose only loss came at the hands of Manitoba. Much like their first match up, Manitoba once again bettered Quebec by a score of 50-20.
