They'll be out of their natural habitat.
But, when the PGSS Polars head to Hawaii for a senior girls soccer tournament at spring break, they'll take their best shot at handling the humidity and soaring temperatures. Of course, they'll also have to deal with the on-field heat applied by their international opponents.
The tournament is called the Canada-Hawaii Friendship Cup, and PGSS coach Rob Wood knows exactly what to expect because he also had a team entered in the event two years ago.
"We'll play some Hawaiian teams that are just phenomenal," Wood said. "Watching them play, they're some of the best soccer teams I've seen.
"We didn't do well last time," Wood added. "It was called heat exhaustion. You get off the plane and you feel like somebody threw a hot, wet blanket over you. And my girls, with asthma and stuff like that, immediately were having problems."
Wood registered the Polars for this year's tournament through Toronto-based Encore Sport Tours. Games will be played just outside of Honolulu. Wood has also lined up an exhibition contest for his club.
"It's a great way to get them out and get them on the grass," Wood said. "Plus, let's face it, you're playing state championship teams and if you steal any points from them, you're doing incredible."
Players going on the trip are Alex Lane, Emily Aase, Santaya Antoniazzi, Haley Bigham, Jenny Ferrier, April Gagnon, Stephanie Goulet, Samantha Joseph, Bella Kaczmarek, Jenny Meehan, Megan Meredith, Chelsea Monell, Ashley Sidhu, Brooklyn Sneptak, Tianna Spoletini and Jessica Storozinski. Only one team member, the Grade 12 Lane, was on the last Hawaiian adventure.
Wood said the cost per player is about $2,200. The team has been doing fundraising to help offset the overall cost.
"We've had some really great support from the community," he said.
The Polars will use the Hawaii games to get tuned up for their own high school season. Their goal is to qualify for the triple-A provincial championship tournament, June 2-4 in Kamloops.
