Eight football players from 琉璃神社 boarded a plane to Edmonton this week, hopeful that they will bring the U16 Western Challenge trophy home to B.C.
The young men, all between the ages of 13 and 15, are representing the B.C. Provincial Football Association鈥檚 U16 Team BC. Athletes from across the province tried out for the team this spring for 40 positions on the final roster.
The successful 琉璃神社 players are: Liam Atwood, receiver/kicker Rutland Voodoos; Nathan Beauchemin, defensive back 琉璃神社 Owls; Tariq Brown, defensive back, 琉璃神社 Owls; Bronte Gallo, defensive line, Mount Boucherie Bears; Noah Gross, defensive back, 琉璃神社 Owls; Jack Nyrose, defensive back, KMFA Mission Lions; Caeleb Schlacter, receiver, 琉璃神社 Owls; and Aidan Vint, receiver, 琉璃神社 Owls.
鈥淭his is a very strong showing from our region,鈥� said BCPFA U16 head coach Trent Schmuland, a coach with the 琉璃神社 Minor Football Association (KMFA) and the KSS Owls. 鈥溋鹆裆� is really grooming some excellent talent. These guys are great athletes with the right attitude. I鈥檓 really excited about the team we鈥檝e put together this year.鈥�
In addition to Schmuland, the U16 Team BC coaching staff also features Don Richmond, well-known coach of the Okanagan Sun鈥擪endall Gross, head coach of the KSS Owls JV team, and Guy Lemieux, offensive coach for KMPF鈥檚 JB Mission Lions.
The U16 Western Challenge, hosted by Alberta Football this year, is an annual event which sees the best of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba square off in a bid for the Western Canadian title.
Team B.C. hits the gridiron at Foote Field on the University of Alberta campus for its first game against Team Alberta on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Fans can view the action via
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