The trophy is impressive.
The title that goes with it, a priceless and memorable achievement
For kids of the region's Catholic elementary schools, the chance to compete for the Terry Wilson Memorial soccer tournament championship is a tradition that's gaining in stature with each passing year.
On Friday, May 31at Rotary Field, teams from Prince George, Terrace and Kitimat will line up in a 12-team tournament that gives Grades 6 and 7 students a chance to hoist the big prize.
This year's third annual event carries special significance, simply because it matches the number Terry Wilson wore on his jersey. In the years before he died in 2010 of brain cancer at age 47, Wilson established himself as one of the city's top defenders in the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League, playing for Teamsport and Niners Diner. But it was his efforts to encourage kids of all ages to play soccer, regardless of ability, that are the most notable achievements contributing to Wilson's legacy.
"Terry was so positive, he was an upbeat guy who really had a way with the kids and he was an excellent principal," said Donncha O'Callaghan, principal of Immaculate Conception elementary school and a longtime friend of Wilson's.
"He could connect with kids and he really saw the fun and enjoyment in what you did in your day and obviously his qualifications in soccer was a huge contribution to Prince George. He had a passion for education and a passion for soccer, and the kids were the common thread."
The one-day tournament is expected to bring 180 girls and boys together on the field.
The tournament started in 2011, shortly after Wilson's death, when school officials at Immaculate Conception and local soccer builders Shafeed Rahman, Vince Buljevic and Terry Murphy got together to revive a Catholic school event that had gone on for several years in Vanderhoof. Buljevic donated the trophy, originally designed 28 years ago for the Blackburn Cup indoor tournament.
"This has exceeded our expectations beyond the shadow of a doubt," said O'Callaghan. "Other schools, places like Williams Lake and Smithers have all expressed an interest and I really think this tournament is on a growth pattern.
"It's all run in a day, and every kid plays and that's something that would be central to Terry's philosophy. He knew all about excellence and high standards, but he was very conscious of making sure every kid had an opportunity, and the chance to have fun and take part.
"We even out teams and try to get the kids who know soccer to help out the kids who maybe, this might be one of their only opportunities to play soccer. It's a big cup, and when the kids see it and it comes in behind the piper, their eyes are wide."
Last year's Terry Wilson Cup final was a 3-2 nailbiter between St. Mary's and Notre Dame of Dawson Creek, decided by a shootout goal from St. Mary's shooter Matthew Kuc. St. Anne of Quesnel defeated St. Mary's in the inaugural championship game in 2011.
Each of the 12 teams plays two pool games before the pools are shuffled, based on team records. The top teams are re-seeded in the top divisions, while the teams with mostly losses are grouped together to create more parity in each of the four divisions for the third round and division championship games.
St. Mary's and Immaculate Conception will each have three teams entered, while Sacred Heart and St. Anne's will have two each. Veritas of Terrace and St. Anthony's of Kitimat will each send one team.
Each year, the player of the tournament will receive a hoodie emblazoned with Wilson's No. 3. This year, Wilson's sons, Finbar and Aeden, plan to make the trip from Lethbridge to serve as referees.
