It was a memorable weekend on April 24 to 26 at the Lansing Spring Classic, where soccer was only part of the story for the 2016 Sault Youth Junior United Girls teams.
Beyond the scores and standings, the weekend was defined by early mornings, shifting weather from cold to sunshine, and plenty of laughter between games. Most importantly, it was about connection—teammates growing closer, friendships strengthening, and memories being made that will last far beyond the final whistle.
A significant part of the weekend’s success came from the incredible support behind the scenes. Parents worked tirelessly to organize, provide food for players and families, and ensure the girls were ready for every game—even stepping in to help with wet gear and dry cleats after long days on the field. Their efforts created an environment where the athletes could focus on what mattered most: playing the game, having fun, and simply being kids.
The conveners of the tournament also deserve special recognition for their warm welcome to our Canadian teams and their generosity throughout the weekend. Their hospitality helped make the experience seamless, ensuring the week flowed smoothly and felt exciting and special for all of our players.
The teams would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to their sponsors, GFL Environmental and S&T Group. Their support continues to make opportunities like this possible at the local level, allowing the players to experience meaningful tournaments and create lasting memories together. GFL Environmental also generously provided a family dinner on Saturday night, helping keep everyone together and continue enjoying their time as a team and community.
Special recognition goes to the coaching staff for their continued dedication to building a strong, positive team culture throughout the season under Ontario Soccer. Coaches emphasized that both team Thunder and Lightning trained and worked together as one group, pushing each other in practice through effort, engagement, and game-like practice environments. This collective approach played a key role in their success, with all 24 players contributing to the journey—including those who were unable to attend but were an important part of getting the teams to this moment.
On the field, both Team Thunder and Team Lightning rose to the occasion, competing hard throughout the weekend, earning their spots in the finals, and ultimately bringing home gold.
With momentum building, the teams now turn their attention back to training as they prepare for the upcoming Jaguar Tournament, taking place May 8–10.
