For the first time, part of the Yukon Soccer Association's annual championships was played outside of Whitehorse on the new Crockus Bluff field in Dawson City, on June 10-12.

Co-hosted with Dawson City Minor Soccer, the championship hosted the U11 segment of the cross-field tournament.

"We're thrilled to be in Dawson, which has the best field for soccer in the Yukon,” said Johnny Nunan, president of the Yukon Soccer Association.

"With the field, the weather, the calibre of teams playing, the support for the local

community – what a fantastic weekend of footie.”

Four teams competed in the U11 category with the Little Peppers defeating Dawson Tr'ondek Hwechin 3-2 in the gold medal match.

Envirolube, meanwhile, beat Peak Fitness 8-7 in extra time for the bronze.

Dawson also put on a skills and drills competition for the players with Ethan Gaw and Emma Davis winning the ball juggling contest, Felix Maltais and Georgia Gaw winning the fastest dribbler, Angus and Georgia Gaw winning the hardest shot portion while, Ewan Halliday and Madison Dorion won the old NASL style shoot-out competition.

"It took a lot of coordination to make this event happen outside of Whitehorse,” said Nunan.

"A lot of organizations and sponsors came together including Carmen Dubous of DCMS and Kerry Maltais from Whitehorse Minor Soccer, Mayor Peter Jenkins and the City of Dawson, the Eldorado Hotel, Ryan-Wood Exploration and some exceptional parents such as Vera Holmes who organized the free Saturday evening barbeque.

"They're all a goal to the good in my books!”

Peak Fitness coach Ron Bramadat agreed it was a great weekend.

"It was a long way to come but I think it was a great idea because by Saturday afternoon, all the Whitehorse kids and Dawson kids were playing together between games. It was a great way for kids of the territory to become friends.”

Meanwhile, the Whitehorse segment of the Championships was also a weekend of exciting football.

There were eight teams in the U9 Division.

First place Selectricity Productions won 5-4 on penalties over Locksmith Services with Ben Kishchuk scoring four goals for the winning cause.

Carter Cleggett was the winning keeper in the shootout for Selectricity Productions.

Locksmith Services finished second, Medicine Chest third and the Whitehorse Star fourth. Medicine Chest beat Whitehorse Star 3-1 in the third place game, with Andreas Lavenderos scoring two goals for the winning side.

Other teams in this division included TD Canada Trust, The Electrical Shop, Qualita Cleaners, and Onebird.

There were six teams in the U10 Division, with one team participating from Haines Junction (the Eagles).

First place went to Jacobs Industries, winning 2-0 in a game in which Jamie Phillips Friedman and Wyatt Peterson both scored for the winning team.

The Deli finished second and Sequoia Kitchens beat the Fenix House in the third-place game.

Other teams in this division included Coldwell Banker and Haines Junction Eagles.

Yukon Soccer Association would like to thank all participant, coaches, team managers, and parents for making it a great weekend of football.