The indoor soccer season is finally coming to an end, but not before the many teams in Whitehorse Minor Soccer get a chance to battle it out on the pitch one last time.

Well over 100 players from Whitehorse and the communities will participate in the weekend-long Northwestel Indoor Soccer Championships that will be played all over Whitehorse.

This year 39 Whitehorse teams are signed up and 12 from the communities will be attending. Dawson City is sending six teams, Atlin and Mayo will send two apiece and Haines Junction and Watson Lake will be represented by a team each.

The action starts tonight at 6 p.m., and will continue until the final gold medal games are played on Sunday.

The championships are presented by the Yukon Soccer Association, and sponsored by Northwestel.

"We are delighted to see so many teams taking part in the tournament once again this year,” said Anne Kennedy, director of communications for Northwestel. "One of the reasons we continued to sponsor this event is because it brings together soccer teams from all over the territory, as well as Atlin.”

There will be six different categories playing from U-7 to U-19.

"The competition at the tournament gives the players a chance to up their game, which is exciting for all of us, including athletes, parents, referees and organizers,” said Johnny Nunan, president of the Yukon Soccer Association. "We invite everyone to come out and watch the games.

"It's a thrill to see the kids pour their heart and soul into the matches. It's all about the athletes and this event is one that really showcases them. That's why we're so excited about it,” Nunan said.

The venues include the Canada Games Centre, Yukon College, F.H. Collins Secondary School and Vanier Catholic Secondary School.

The final game is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Canada Games Centre on Sunday. Medal presentations will be held from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Nunan said that soccer is only getting more popular in the Yukon.

"The growth in soccer in the Yukon mirrors what is happening in the rest of Canada,” Nunan said. "I just returned from national soccer meetings, where I learned that Canada is the sixth-highest nation in terms of ticket purchases for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Canada doesn't even have a team competing, but our enthusiasm for the game is still one of the highest in the world.”

A complete schedule of the tournament can be found online at www.yukonsoccer.yk.ca

Results for each age group can be found posted at each venue.

Registration for Whitehorse Minor Soccer's outdoor season is ongoing until April 1.

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Northwestel Indoor Soccer

Championships finals

Sunday

U-7 schedule

Canada Games Centre

Gold medal game, 11 a.m, turf one

Bronze medal game, 11 a.m.,

turf two

U-9 schedule

Canada Games Centre

Gold medal game, 12 p.m, turf one

Bronze medal game, 12 p.m.,

turf two

U-11 schedule

Canada Games Centre

Gold medal game, 12 p.m, Flexihall

Bronze medal game, 12 p.m.,

Flexihall

U-13 schedule

Canada Games Centre

Gold medal game, 1 p.m, turf

Bronze medal game, 1 p.m.,

Flexihall

U-15 schedule

Canada Games Centre

Gold medal game, 2 p.m, turf one

Bronze medal game, 2 p.m.,

turf two