U15 club soccer national championships underway in Newton this week

Some of Canada’s top U15 club soccer teams are in Surrey this week for two national championship tournaments. Twenty-four teams—12 in the boys’ division and 12 in the girls’ division—are playing at Newton Athletic Park. Games began Wednesday, Oct. 7, and continue until Thanksgiving Monday. The boys’ final is set for 10 a.m. and the girls’ final for 12:30 p.m.; both will be played on field No. 1 at the park on 128 Street.

Sarb Lidder, executive director of Surrey FC, which is hosting a national tournament for the third time, said this is the first national championship year for this age group and a new experience for many players. He said provinces have sent their top-tier teams, except Alberta, B.C., Quebec and Ontario, whose top-tier teams compete in the Player Development Program (PDP) championships held in August, a different level of competition. Those provinces sent their second-tier teams.

Surrey FC has a home team in the boys’ division, alongside Okanagan FC representing B.C. The girls’ teams include Langley United and North Shore girls. Matches are streamed on Canada Soccer’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@CanadaSoccerTV/streams, and schedules are posted at https://canadasoccer.com/competitions/national-championships/. Adult and U17 national championships are being held in different Canadian cities this week.

Lidder said Surrey is becoming known as a strong host, with world-class facilities. He said U15 players, coaches and parents arriving at Newton Athletic Park are amazed by the range of services available in one place. He also credited Surrey FC’s staff and volunteers for putting substantial effort into the tournaments, adding that the club is well recognized.

Sixteen provincial representative teams are staying at Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, while four are at the new Homewood Suites Surrey on King George Boulevard near the hospital. Because the players are U15, their parents and families accompany them; they do not travel alone, Lidder said. Restaurants are crowded, and hotels in Surrey are nearly full this weekend, making rooms difficult to find.

On Wednesday, the organizers held a banquet for all the players and officials for the first time. About 600 players and officials attended at the Grand Empire in Surrey. Lidder called it a great event, noting that Whitecaps player Jeevan Badwal was the guest speaker. The event showcased Surrey and included entertainers and a large meal that the players enjoyed.