Kelowna team looking to defend national title this weekend in Regina

Nine athletes and two coaches from Kelowna are flying to the Football Canada U16 Western Canada Flag championships in Regina this weekend to defend their title as national U16 Flag champions.

Since capturing the B.C. Community Football Associations (BCCFA) provincial championship in June, the young men, aged 14 and 15, have been training hard to prepare for the national competition that they won last year.

“It is very exciting to represent our community and our province again in these championships. Our boys have shown amazing character and commitment getting to where they are,” said coach Kendall Gross.

“Being part of an amazing group of motivated young men in our community committed to something positive is a pleasure,” added coach Rod Vint.

Caeleb Schlachter, Nate Beauchemin, Tariq Brown, Noah Gross, Aidan Vint and Bronte Gallo, along with coach Gross, are returnees from the roster that represented Team B.C. in the U16 Western Challenge in Edmonton last July.

These boys also all play regular season high school tackle football, but enjoy playing flag — a non-contact variation of the sport — during the spring and summer months.

“Flag is very athletically challenging, in a different way than tackle,” said Schlachter, who plays for the KSS Owls’ junior varsity team. “It moves very fast, you have to be quick in your mind, and on your feet.”

Parents of these young athletes are quick to express their gratitude for the strong leadership from coaches Gross and Vint and for their emphasis on positive commitment, sportsmanship and growth.

The tournament, being hosted in Regina, will take place July 27-29 and can be viewed online via Football Canada.