Activities:
It was a busy but productive second year for this team.

The boys have a very successful trip to an indoor tournament in Juneau in April. They were divided into two groups, one of which came home with a bronze medal. More importantly, the boys made some friendships that were solidified when the Juneau team came to Whitehorse in the summer for the Gold Rush tournament. We put on a chili dinner for them, which they seemed to appreciate.

Try-outs were held at the end of April. About 30 boys turned out in very inclement weather -- 18 were chosen (including two alternates) plus because of unusual circumstances two boys who'd been on the team last year but weren't able to try out were also allowed to stay on the team as alternates.) At the time, there were discussions that it would be helpful if the Yukon Soccer Association had a firm policy in place concerning rules for try-outs.

Over the spring and summer, a few boys dropped out, and we were left with a core group of about 15 kids. This group continued to practice two times a week with occasional games with other local rep teams. Teams from Haines came in late summer to play some of the younger rep teams in Whitehorse, and some of our parents organized a barbecue for them.

The boys also took part in soccer camps in both spring and summer, put on by the Yukon Soccer Association. Some of our team members were able to attend Shawnigan Lake Soccer School as well. Our hope is to send the whole team next year, and ask that the date for the Gold Rush tournament changed to allow as many rep players as possible to attend this school.

Our team attended the Langley soccer tournament over the Labour Day week-end. They were originally supposed to play in the silver category, but were bumped up to the gold because of scheduling problems. So the competition was stiff, but they learned a lot and we made some friends among a Langley team. In fact they liked our clean play so much they invited our boys to play an exhibition game and organized a lunch for them. We exchanged email addresses and invited the team to come to Whitehorse next summer.

Our fall try-out is set for October 13 - 15^th. After that, the try-outs will be held once a year, in the fall.

Fundraising:
It was a busy year for fundraising. The team worked at the Rendez-vous Fun Fair, ran concessions during the recreational outdoor soccer tournaments in June, took part in highway clean-up, handed out flyers and made cotton candy for the grand opening of the Whitehorse Waterfront Trolley, parents worked bingos throughout the summer, and the kids have now taken on a magazine route.

Sponsors
While we did not secure a major sponsor this year, we were able to travel with the help of $1800 that Pierre Lacasse of FPC Investments gave us last year. He also provided us with five new uniforms (in larger sizes). Other businesses or individuals that helped us out this year by giving discounts or by donating goods include: Super A, Whitehorse Beverages/Coca Cola and Sorrento. We of course also received $4,000 of government funding through the Yukon Soccer Association.

Executive
Because of a busy schedule, I am stepping down as team manager. Our treasurer, Margrit Sylvestre, has also resigned, as her son is no longer on the team. We are in the process of finding replacements for these positions. Rosemary Plaskett remains our secretary and Nora Paton our fundraising coordinator.

-Janet Patterson

Team Manager, Assante Templars