logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Provincial stage set for Jasper’s U-13 soccer stars
Early in the year, the Jasper U13 boys relied on their individual skills to dominate their league. // Supplied
Sports
By Lucas Habib, sports reporter
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Provincial stage set for Jasper’s U-13 soccer stars

In Jasper, the soccer season is short and intense.

It’s a tiny two-month blip between the seemingly interminable hockey season and the madness of summer vacation. But it’s a season that many of the players look forward to all year—if you’ve ever walked by the schoolyard at lunch hour in the winter, you’ll have seen the dedicated footballers practicing their rainbows and bicycle kicks in their snow boots.

So when the Municipality of Jasper declared the fields ready to go in the final week of April, the U13 boys were ready for kickoff. The U13 tier (11 and 12-year-olds) is the first level that Jasper teams play in league games, something this group had been anticipating for years. Unfortunately for them, the start of the season coincided with disruptive wildfires and road closures; with some of the league’s teams under evacuation orders and with Highway 16 closed to all travel, the long-awaited first games were postponed.

Wildfires closed Highway 16 earlier this spring and put a damper on league play for Jasper’s U-13 boys soccer team. // File photo

When the whistle finally sounded to start the first match, Jasper coaches Paco Artiaga and Max Peregoodoff had the team ready to go—they thoroughly beat up on Whitecourt, posting a clean sheet in a 27-0 victory. That was just the start of an incredible season. The team swept through the league with an undefeated record, clinching top of the table in the Northwest Central Soccer Association. This achievement guaranteed them a berth in the provincial championships, taking place this July 7-9 in Cold Lake.

Ash Habib’s endless hours of practice is paying dividends as he and his U-13 soccer teammates are off to provincials July 7. // Supplied

The sole blemish on the boys’ season came in a tournament in Sherwood Park, where Jasper was ultimately victorious in the B final. Their one-goal loss in the semis was to the eventual champions. Since then, the boys have improved in every aspect of the game. Their passes are crisper, their shots quicker, and their throw-ins … more legal. Their success is all the sweeter because many of these boys played on the same hockey team, a squad which was nearly winless over the winter.

Max Lescard and his teammates cut no corners with their year-round soccer training regime. // Supplied

Manager Dave Argument and Jasper Minor Sports soccer co-chairs Janice Branch and Geoff Danks have put in a lot of work to get the team to this point.  As they stream out onto the field in Cold Lake in their vintage yellow “bee sting” jerseys this weekend, the kids will be pumped to be playing at this level. They might be facing teams who have had the luxury of training on indoor fields all winter, or perhaps their raw skill will rise to the top. Either way, provincials will be an incredible experience.

Arie Hofhuis dribbles around his opponents while Naim Tremblay looks for an opening during league play this season. // Supplied

Check back next week for a report on how it went.


Lucas Habib // info@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Latest ›
The bear necessities
Environment
The bear necessities
Bob Covey 
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Collars, fences and attractant elimination keys to bear management Jasper National Park bear biologists are keeping a close eye on area grizzlies. At ...
this is a test
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Community
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of Jasper Jr/Sr High School and École Desrochers! These bright young individuals are now stepping confidently in...
this is a test
Meet the locals: Fran Jones
Community
Meet the locals: Fran Jones
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
While Jasper's mountains, rivers and lakes get plenty of (deserved) air time, it's the people who live here that make the community welcoming and incl...
this is a test
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Community
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
A beloved family is saying goodbye to Jasper, and their friends are throwing a bittersweet going-away party. “There will be a lot of tears,” said orga...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Guilty plea for black bear shooter

News, Wildlife

Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Latest ›
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local