Slave Lake Minor Soccer Association (SLMSA) is coming off a strong 2025-26 season and is looking ahead to another year of growth and development.
Registration is now open for the Fall 2026 session, with programs available for U9, U11 and U13 recreational players, as well as U13 and U15/17 competitive players.
Recreational teams will practice at Northern Lakes College, while competitive teams will train at the fieldhouse. The U15/17 competitive team will practice Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with the U13 competitive team practicing Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Recreational schedules will be finalized following registration.
The past season saw SLMSA continue to grow both in participation and in the development of its players, with several local athletes earning opportunities to compete at the provincial and territorial level.
SLMSA U15/17 goalkeeper Ali Kahwaji was selected as the futsal goalkeeper for Team Alberta North and helped the team capture gold at the Arctic Winter Games.
Aryan Reddy was also selected as the starting goalkeeper for Zone 8 Peace Country at the Alberta Summer Games.
Local competitive teams also found success on the tournament circuit, earning a combined six medals: two gold, two silver and two bronze.
The U9 teams earned gold and participation medals, while U11 teams earned silver and bronze, the U13 team earned gold and bronze, and the U15/17 team captured silver.
Both the U13 and U15/17 teams also travelled to St. Paul to compete in the Tier 4 Rural Alberta Soccer Provincials.
Both teams recorded wins during the tournament, marking the second consecutive year that SLMSA has sent teams to Alberta Soccer provincials.
SLMSA hopes to build on that momentum throughout the 2026-27 season while continuing to provide local players with opportunities to develop their skills and compete at higher levels.
With the Arctic Winter Games returning to Alaska in March 2028 and the Alberta Summer Games coming to Fort McMurray in July 2028, the association hopes to see more Slave Lake players earn the opportunity to represent the region and Team Alberta North in the years ahead. More than 2,000 young athletes from across northern regions participate in the Arctic Winter Games
The association will also hold its annual general meeting on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the Multi-Rec Centre.
Six board positions will be up for election, and SLMSA welcomes new participants and encourages members of the community to attend.
The annual general meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the association, get involved and help shape the future of minor soccer in Slave Lake.
Registration is available by scanning the QR code or by visiting the Slave Lake Minor Soccer Association Facebook page at facebook.com/SlaveLakeMinorSoccer.
Randah Mouallem
For the Lakeside Leader