The Yukon Soccer Association is organizing free development camps in August and September for soccer players born 2007 to 2011 interested in competing in the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St John’s, Newfoundland.
Get out those cleats and stretch those hamstrings. Yukoners who love soccer and love to compete are encouraged to set their sights on the East Coast and represent the territory on the national stage.
Mark Wickham, who is the team manager for the male team, said having these development camps will provide Yukon soccer players to showcase their talents on the pitch.
“Being a part of the Canada Summer Games is a unique opportunity for Yukon youth. Not only does it provide an opportunity for players to challenge themselves—it’s a national celebration of sport and teamwork.”
Team manager for the female team, Johanna Smith, echoed those sentiments, adding Yukon athletes will be part of something they will always carry with them.
“Participating in the Canada Summer Games is about much more than just the competition. The camaraderie, meeting new people and seeing new places will create lifelong memories.”
Yukon Soccer Association is running several development camps this fall with the aim of preparing youth for the team selection process and to compete at the games.
“We encourage all eligible youth, regardless of their level of experience with soccer, to join us for the development camps. In the past, players from Yukon communities outside of Whitehorse have played a key role in our teams,” Smith said.
Edgar Musonda will be the head coach for the male team and will be joined by an assistant coach (with recruitment currently underway). Coaches for the female training group are Head Coach Joanna Bray and Assistant Coach Samantha Samuelson. Travis Banks will assume the role of goalkeeper coach for both teams and Dawson Weir will act as coach-intern for the male team (with recruitment for a coach-intern for the female team underway).
Development camps for males born 2007 to 2011 will run Aug. 24 to 25 at FH Collins turf field, with development camps for females born 2007 to 2011 running Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, also at FH Collins turf field. Yukon youth keen to represent the territory at the Canada Summer Games are encouraged to pre-register for the camps at yukonsoccer.ca/competitions
