St. Michaels University School has a long tradition of attending the Canadian Accredited Independent School (CAIS) soccer tournaments. This year SMUS sent a Grade 6-7 Boys team to the 2024 tournament hosted in Toronto at Upper Canada College, October 17-18. Sixteen teams spanning two divisions make up the three-day tournament with SMUS facing Sterling Hall, Halifax Grammar and Selwyn House School in pool play of Division 2.
The highly-competitive tournament includes mostly Canadian schools and one from Bermuda, who are always a tournament favourite.
“We have been sending a SMUS team to this tournament since 1976 and I remember going in 1991 and 1992,” said Mike Danskin ‘98, current Middle School teacher and a SMUS Lifer who is traveling with this year’s team as a coach.
“These trips are important because they build resilience and independence through travel, competition, and being away from parents,” adds Danskin. “Additionally, they create a school culture knowing a tournament lies ahead which gives a clear goal to build towards year after year.”
Danskin joins coach Jackie Cunningham on the sidelines and has been helping this team prepare since last year. Team tryouts were held in June and the team was selected ahead of the summer. The boys returned in September and have been practicing twice a week leading up to the tournament. The team also had a 2-1-1 record in their four test matches played locally through the start of the term.
“We are so excited to have this group of students return to the CAIS tournament this year,” said coach Cunningham, who brings a wealth of soccer knowledge to the fold as a former University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer player, team captain and assistant coach. “We are looking forward to some strong leadership from an experienced group of Grade 7s, many of whom participated last year in Halifax. In addition, the excellent play of our Grade 6s has really bolstered the strength and confidence of the team.”
The away tournament and the long build-up provides a lot of ‘firsts’ for the 16 Middle School students. As 11 and 12-year-olds the trip could be their first time away from home, on a plane, on a train, going to a new province, staying in a hotel room with teammates, trying new food and so much more.
SMUS kicked off play on October 17 with a tight 3-2 win over Selwyn and 7-0 win over Halifax Grammar School. The team took down Sterling Hall School with a 7-1 win on October 18. Quarterfinals happen in the afternoon on October 18 and the semifinals and finals take place on October 19.
