A pair of former Humboldt Hurricanes soccer players are getting the opportunity of a lifetime as Kazley Natlazo and Finlay Hart will be competing in the 2017 U17 National Championship.
Hart and Natlazo are heading to Fredericton N.B. with the rest of their Saskatoon North teammates after capturing the Saskatchewan Soccer Association Provincial Soccer League U17 championship with a 6-1 win over Queen City United in the final on July 16.
Hart noted that it was a great feeling being able to win the provincial championship noting that they ran over to celebrate with their fans and it was a great atmosphere.
“It’s great to be able to say you’re a provincial champion but to actually feel it, it’s something totally different. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Saskatoon North came into the contest with a 0-3 record against QC United in league play this year, but Natlazo says they kept their heads up throughout.
“We didn’t think of the negatives as a team.”
Hart added that Saskatoon North had plenty of practice time leading up to the game and used some of that practice time to talk about believing they could win.
“We knew we could beat them we just had to always just play our hardest and capitalize on their mistakes.”
The win moves Hart, Natlazo, and the rest of Saskatoon North into the U17 National Championship in October.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Natlazo says he expects highly competitive games.
“There’s going to be the best teams from each province there. So us representing Saskatchewan, there’s going to be a lot of commitment to it. I don’t think it’s going to be easy. It’s going to be a nice little test for us to get through.”
With both Natlazo (15), and Hart (14) being some of the younger players on the team, the National Championships will provide both players a great opportunity to get used to the experience for the coming years, with Hart noting it is always important to learn from what he does, but says he is there for more than just to learn.
“It’s going to be a great experience but I also want to win. I’m part of the team so everyone’s going there with the same goal in mind.”
Both Hart and Natlazo say they have never been to New Brunswick before, with Natlazo saying his favourite part of traveling is doing it through sport, and Hart noting that it will be cool to do some siteseeing.
In the lead up to the them leaving for the tournament their team is doing some fundraising to help offset the cost of the trip, with Hart noting they have planned to do a couple of bottle drives. The team is also in search of some sponsorship from businesses, says Hart, noting that there is an opportunity for the business to have their logo put on the teams’ jerseys.
