The Yorkton United FC U-10 team went to Regina over the weekend to compete in the Challenge Cup. The YUFC split up into two teams comprised of their U-10 squad and choice U-8 players who the coaches felt could compete at the higher level. With two soccer festivals and weeks of practice under their belt the young YUFC footballers were prepared to take on the challenge of a tournament.
The two Yorkton sides dominated the tournament comprised of teams from Regina, Swift Current and Melfort. The teams went unbeaten in the tournament, with one side drawing one team before beating them in the knockout stage. With both Yorkton sides in the final the teams decided to host the final on Wednesday evening rather than play the final Saturday night in Regina.
U-10 coach Mike Jakubiec was happy with the way his U-10's performed and the promise they showed for the future of football in Yorkton. Jakubiec added that while the U-8 program is the grassroots level for the club, U-10 is where tactical training is introduced and the players from this level go on to the U-12 program and begin to advance in their football careers for the club. Most of the players on the current U-18 and men's teams have played some sort of youth club football in the YUFC program and the U-8 and U-10 program ensures that tradition will continue.
Jakubiec also mentioned that most of the players in the tournament have been playing for two or three years and their progress has been evident in their results. The final of the Challenge Cup will be held Wednesday at the Parkland Mall pitch at five p.m. All spectators are welcome to come cheer on the kids as they play in a cup final for the first time.
