Sportsmanship reigns at regional futsal championships

Iqaluit teams swept the top medals at the Baffin Regional Futsal Championships, held at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit over the weekend.

However, many of the best plays in the tournament had nothing to do with scoring or blocking goals, coaches and officials agreed.

“A ref from down south came up to me and said to me what a great tournament this was and how nice and kind the athletes were to each other,” said Kelsey Davidge, one of three coaches with the two Iqaluit girls’ under-18 teams.

“I think that’s really good to note that the sportsmanship was seen. That means a lot.”

Players with the Pangnirtung and Iqaluit under-18 boys’ teams compete in the final game at the Baffin Regional Futsal Championships, held at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit from March 7 to 9. (Photo courtesy of Kerry McCluskey)

A total of 12 teams and approximately 80 players took part in the three-day tournament that wrapped up Sunday, playing in under-18 and under-15 divisions for boys and girls. Futsal is a fast-paced version of soccer, played indoors with five players per side.

The two under-18 girls’ teams from Iqaluit’s Inuksuk High School won gold and silver medals in that age group while the Clyde River team took bronze. In the under-15 girls’ category, Iqaluit got gold, Igloolik earned silver and Pangnirtung won bronze.

In boys’ under-15 play, only two teams competed with Igloolik finishing in first place and Sanikiluaq placing second. In boys’ under-18 action, Iqaluit’s Inuksuk Football Club earned gold, Pangnirtung was awarded silver and Sanikiluaq — which had only six players, meaning they had only one sub to give players a break during the games — won bronze

“They came out firing every game,” Alison Taylor, a coach with Iqaluit under-18 boys’ team, said of the Sanikiluaq players’ effort. “They showed a lot of grit and never stopped.”

She echoed Davidge’s praise for all the teams’ sportsmanship.

“Pangnirtung was a really positive team,” Taylor said. “There were a lot of high-fives and a lot of smiles during the game. They even high-fived each other when we scored, to keep their energy up.”

Cheers from the packed bleachers motivated the players as well, she said.

“Oh my God, it was a great turnout — very loud,” Taylor said. “People love to cheer on their communities and the kids.”

Spectators filled the stands for every game, Davidge said.

“With the fans and friends and family that came, the encouragement that the kids received from the stands definitely helped bring up the atmosphere,” she said.