Father’s Day weekend continues to be synonymous with soccer in Okotoks.
The eighth annual Okotoks United Jamboree, presented by Cavalry FC, kicks into high gear over the June 13-15 weekend with a sold out field of 178 teams representing 33 clubs from across the province taking part in 356 games.
Peter Mundy, president of Okotoks United, said there will be 52 teams travelling to the tournament, including squads from Medicine Hat and St. Albert, with the majority of the field comprised of Calgary and surrounding community sides.
Bill Robertson Park will act as the primary tournament hub with a total of 21 fields in the community being utilized over the three days. The jamboree features U12-U13 Tier 1-4 teams and U9-U11 Tier 1-4 squads.
This event marks the third consecutive year Cavalry FC, the reigning Canadian Premier League champions based out of Spruce Meadows, has been a sponsor.
“We just love Okotoks, it’s our neighbours there and we have a large fan base that comes up to watch Cavs games,” said Cavalry FC commercial director Mason Trafford. “Every year Cavs has a presence there, we do some giveaways, bring players down and this year we’ll look to ramp it up a little more.”
Cavalry FC representatives will be on hand to present tournament medals, hand out 500 soccer balls along with more giveaways while also keeping a keen eye on developing talent on the pitch.
“As our club matures, we’re always on the lookout for exciting, talented young players,” Trafford said. “I think we have 10 Calgary Minor Soccer Association players on our roster right now, some of them are as young as 18 years old.
“For kids at the Okotoks Jamboree, whether they’re from Okotoks or a surrounding community playing in the tournament, it’s not a pipedream anymore like it was 10 years ago to be a professional soccer player and to do it at a club like Cavalry with a really impressive infrastructure and a winning history.
“If I was a kid now and I loved the game and wanted to be a pro, it’s a really exciting time.”
For more information on the event, visit Okotoks United’s website.
