A group of young Fernie football players will enter the indoor season with fresh enthusiasm after an unexpected tournament victory in Montana.
In a true David and Goliath moment, the Under 10 boys development team beat four American teams to win the Tamarack Fall Classic soccer tournament in Kalispell in late September.
Head coach Markus Glickman said the team formed in the spring with about 12 players who wanted to develop their skills and compete at a higher level.
“Most of the kids had played since Timbits with Fernie Minor Soccer but this was their first experience on a development team,” he said.
“They practiced all summer and twice a week in the fall before heading to the tournament.”
The team arrived in Kalispell with little expectation of winning a game, let alone the competition.
Glickman said as soon as the boys walked onto the pitch, it was immediately obvious that their hard work had paid off.
“Everyone was amazed at the quick, pass-oriented soccer they played,” he said.
“They won every game against teams from much bigger clubs. This is the first time in recent memory that a Fernie soccer team has gone down to the States and won a tournament.”
Glickman said his players were proud of their gold medals and hoped to compete in more tournaments next year.
The team will now take a break before starting indoor training in January.
Training is open to boys and girls born in 2007 or later who want to become better soccer players, and will be held on Sundays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Fernie Community Centre.