The Kootenay Rovers Classic soccer tournament recorded its largest-ever turn-out June 21 to 23, with thousands of people showing up to watch the action.
90 teams kicked off in Moir Park in Cranbrook and Purcell Fields in Marysville on the weekend, hosted by Kootenay East Soccer Association (KESA), with an estimated 5,000 people attending the events.
Among the teams who participated, were local Kootenay groups like the Cranbrook-based KESA Rovers, Fernie United, KSYSA Storm, Columbia Valley Titans, Creston Blitz and Nelson Selects; groups from Calgary like Blizzard Alliance, Calgary Ranger W Royals, Calgary West Celtic, MUSC Spirit, and West Hills United Raiders; and Storm FC Klauss from Washington.
KESA president Lisa Carlson said they saw higher participation this year, in part, because the event did not coincide with Spirit of the Rockies Festival like it did previously.
But she also noted that there's been a big surge in soccer popularity in recent years, with the Rovers growing from 170 to 250 athletes, and the KESA host program doubling in size. The host program is the beginner level that players start out in before moving up.
U17-18 Boys Rovers claimed gold, adding yet another win to their impressive record. Carlson said they've only lost one of their games since the season started in April.
"That group of boys have been together since they were 12 years old, so it's been fun watching them come through the system," said Carlson, who added that it's their camaraderie that keeps them strong.
"They have quite the chemistry on field to add to their skill level," she said.
U14 Girls Rovers dominated on the field, winning 5-2 against Nelson Selects and 12-0 against Columbia Valley Titans, and overtaking the Blizzard Alliance 2-1 in the final game.
KESA Rovers Girls U16 and U18 placed second and third respectively, just behind Nelson Selects. The two teams are advancing to provincials in Kamloops, alongside the U17 Boys, July 4 to 7.
In the boy's category, the Nelson Selects were at the top of their game, with U14 and U15 coming in first; U13, U16, and U17-18 in second; and another U13 team in third.
The KESA Rover Senior Boys and Girls are currently fundraising for a tournament in Rome next year in April. They're hosting bingo nights on the third Thursday of the month on the upper floor of the Cranbrook Curling Club, and they'll be leading a soccer camp in Moir Park this summer from July 29 to Aug. 1 for players three to eight years old.
Carlson said she was pleased with the turnout at the event and would like to see the event expand in future.
"It's something we hope to continue growing and maybe one day we can have different tiers in the tournament," she said.
