Soccer fans are being invited to watch some all-star play this Saturday at the Omischl Sports Complex in North Bay.
The Nipissing District Soccer Club is hosting their annual Northern Ontario Masters Championship.
The club’s All-Star Men’s Premier, Women’s All-Stars and the Men’s Over 35 team will be playing against all-stars from Sudbury and Huntsville.
Carlo Berardi, club director and treasurer, says the event is also raising funds for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.
“Cancer affects everyone in one way or another. Whether you’ve been a victim of cancer or know someone who has, we’re trying to raise money for the children out there who are suffering with cancer,” he says.
Pre-game action will also feature local competitive youth teams playing against each other in exhibition matches.
Berardi says recent events are helping grow the sport across Canada including the women’s Olympic gold medal win and more.
“Canada has now qualified for the (men’s) World Cup for the first time since 1986,” he says. “Soccer is definitely growing in Canada and growing in Nipissing District. We’re training some great kids, some great youth that are up-and-coming talent in the sport.”
Along with a QR code on the tournament flyers, donations can be made online at nofcc.ca/donate/
The Masters Championship has been taking place since 2015.