REGINA – The U15 Weyburn Celtic boys soccer team triumphed as champions of the Division 1 FCR League after playoffs in Regina July 9. The athletes secured the title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FCR Legion in the final, following a decisive 5-3 semi-final win against QC United Filip.
Coach Rob Jordens praised the team’s resilience for overcoming hurdles they faced throughout the season.
“Being a spring league, we experienced a lot of challenges regarding our roster and player availability.”
Several players also competed in the Provincial Soccer League (PSL), often leaving the Celtics with just enough players or requiring call-ups. Despite this, the team rose to the occasion defeating higher-ranked opponents to claim first place.
“The boys overcame these challenges and were able to successfully compete with higher ranked teams take 1st place,” said Jordens. “Weyburn has a very successful soccer program. This team has rose up the ranks in WSA, playing together for many years. The quality of instruction and familiarity with each other really helped them with their quest for league supremacy.”
Standout performances
After finishing third in the regular season, the Celtics showcased their determination in the playoffs. Jordens credited their success to the players’ belief in themselves and the team’s system.
“It really was a matter of 'next man up' with our player availability issues and that meant that everyone needed to be ready to play and make contributions. The great thing from a coach's perspective was to see them take on that responsibility and find success.”
In the semi-final, the Celtics dominated from the start with a full-team effort. The final saw standout performances from Lexington Roy and Caleb DuHamel, who each scored crucial goals. Defenders Canaan Braun and Kamsi Ejiofor sealed the victory by locking down the midfield in the closing minutes.
International influence and future plans
Two players, Ranson Jordens and Lexington Roy, recently trained in Spain, bringing valuable experience to the team.
“Lex’s ball control and footwork helped us maintain possession, while Ranson created key opportunities for our forwards,” said Jordens.
With the season now concluded, the players will enjoy a short break before some return to PSL action. Weyburn Soccer is also preparing for a major development opportunity, a soccer camp from Aug. 25-29, hosted in partnership with Scotland’s Celtic FC Academy.
Milestone for Weyburn Soccer
Competing in Division 1 for just two years, the Celtics’ league victory marks a significant achievement.
“To my knowledge, we have not had teams win at the D1 level, let alone win the league,” said Jordens.
He also highlighted the impact of the Spark Centre in Weyburn, which has allowed year-round training and elevated the program’s quality.
Beyond their skill, the team is recognized for sportsmanship and respect, said Jordens.
“It shows and the WSA teams are recognized for that both on and off the field.”
