14 Wing Greenwood’s men’s and women’s soccer teams are gearing up for this year’s Canadian Armed Forces Atlantic Region championship, hosted by 12 Wing Shearwater August 18 to 21 at Dartmouth’s Harbour East All Weather Field 2.
The women are on the field August 18 to 20, with the men’s tournament following, August 20 to 21.
While the women’s team always looks forward to the championship, team members are relieved to see this year’s schedule doesn’t have them playing any doubleheaders: Greenwood meets CFB Halifax at 2 p.m. August 18, and plays 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown at 8 a.m. August 19. Unlike previous years, this year’s men’s and women’s tournaments will not include semifinals: the top-two women’s teams will move straight to the final at 10:30 a.m. August 20.
“Last year was a tough battle, it was back and forth,” says centre back defence player Corporal Kayla Maye. “We held our own, and they were both very close games – very competitive. It was a great tournament all around.”
The team gave it their all during last year’s semifinals as well.
“We poured our heart into that game,” says defence/ wing player Captain Michelle Backhouse, “and, again, it was a close game.”
This year, in preparation, the Greenwood women have concentrated on honing core skills, such as foot work, shots on net, passing and triangles.
“The main focus was kind of getting back to basics and drilling in those super important skills,” says Maye.
“Especially with the number of new players,” says Backhouse. “It was a refresher for some, brand new for others.”
Despite having lost over half of their 2024 starting lineup to postings this year, the team’s drive has not diminished, likely due to their esprit de corps and ability to bolster morale.
“Everyone realises we’re a mixed-skill level team, and everyone’s super supportive of each other,” says Maye. “We’re all rooting each other on and giving each other tips here and there.
“Seeing old friends, seeing people that have been posted but are on one of the other Atlantic teams – we’ll be facing Kristine Ouellet. She’s on the Halifax team now, but she was on our team last year.”
Currently at 15 players, the women’s team would love to bring their number up to 17 to allow for more substitutes during games. Anyone interested in joining the team at regionals is encouraged to reach out. Those interested will need to receive chain of command approval, preferably by August 14.
The 14 Wing men’s team is also excited to participate in this year’s tournament. Greenwood will facing Halifax at 10:30 a.m. August 19 and Gagetown at 9 a.m. August 20. The finals take place at 8 a.m. August 21.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the players to compete at a really high level against some people coming from around the country,” says Lieutenant Henry Gagnon, a member of the men’s team heading to regionals for his first time. “We hope we are going to have success, and we will keep practicing and play as a team to get some results.”
Women’s roster
- Officer Cadet Jazmyn Creamer, goaltender
- Officer Cadet Brooke Jones, striker (forward)
- Aviator Cadence Dow, striker
- Captain Sophia King, offensive centre midfield
- Sergeant Jaime Pike, left wing (midfield)
- Sailor First Class Alisha Campbell, wing midfield
- Captain Danielle Beland, right wing (midfield)
- Captain Michelle Backhouse, defence/ wing
- Corporal Breagh-Ann Campbell, defence/ wing
- Corporal Erica Leclair Comeau, defence/ wing
- Corporal Robyn Sheaves, defence/ wing
- Captain Meagan Duncan, wing back (defence)
- Master Corporal Jenna Howe, Centre back (defence)
- Corporal Kayla Maye, Centre back (defence)
- Captain Katherine Bruce, defensive mid
