The Yukon Soccer Excel Program kicked off Soccer Week in the Yukon this week.

There were sessions Monday and Wednesday for players ages 13 to 18 at the F.H. Collins turf field.

The program was run by Yukon Soccer’s Technical Director, Sean Fleming, and his assistant, Ash Jordan.

The Star dropped in Wednesday to see how the program was coming along.

Linnea Roberts, 15, one of the participants, said “We’re starting a new program called Excel, and it’s to help players in the Yukon who want to push their development faster than anyone else in the rec leagues and stuff.”

She said the program featured “lots of fast-paced drills focused on skill and movement and some finishing.”

Roberts also gave an update as to what she’s been up to lately.

“I’m doing lots of outside camps cause there’s not much opportunity to play here, so I’m glad there’s a new program starting up here to help me develop as a player here in Whitehorse.”

Roberts said she is planning on staying in Whitehorse so far.

“I really like the Yukon but I’m looking outside just in case there’s something that I see that I like.”

Roberts played for the Yukon Women’s Selects in the first exhibition game versus the Lethbridge College Kodiaks on Tuesday.

“It was good. It was a tight game.”

The Kodiaks edged the Selects 1-0 on a goal scored with about five minutes left in the match.

We did pretty good,” added Roberts. “It was really fun playing at that high level.

“I like to play with players that are better than me, cause then I can push myself to be a better player.”

Shamus Inglis, 13, explained why he came out for the program.

“It’s a more intense training camp focused on training and not games. I think that’s really good because I want all the training I can get and this is great for all that.”

“We were just doing this drill where we get in a square and there’s two teams and try and pass it around and keep possession, score goals. I think it’s a drill for working in tight space, passing and stuff.”

Inglis is also on the academy and travel teams in Whitehorse.

Leo Whittaker, a striker for Calgary Foothills Soccer Club, was heavily involved in Soccer Week in the Yukon.

He said it’s going “pretty good” with the club.

“I was playing with them for a large part of this year, so it’s fairly new. Had a bit of an injury earlier, which was unfortunate, but other than that, it’s been going very well.”

Whittaker, 16, said he “tore a ligament in his arm playing soccer, which is a weird one. It was not pleasant.

“Other than that, scoring lots of goals. Being around that environment’s really good.”

Whittaker is hoping to move up to the Calgary Cavalry in the Canadian Premier League.

He played in the Yukon Selects game against the Kodiak’s mens team Tuesday.

“It went well. I scored a goal. Felt it was a good game. We won 3-1, which is good.

“It’s good to have that competition in the Yukon, great to have that to come back to and play in, play as much footie (soccer) as you can. It’s great. It was a tightly-contested game.”

Whittaker is also training with the Kodiaks.

He said he’s at the field every day, whether it’s on his own, with family and friends, or in a competitive setting.

“Just train as much as possible.”

Tristan Martin is a keeper who’s back in the Yukon after winning silver at the Alberta Championships with Edmonton Scottish United FC. He was taking some free kicks from Whittaker and Kaden Gregory after the Excel program wrapped up for the day.

He said the Excel program is “pretty fun. Liking it and getting some good training out of it.”

Martin was the starter in the game versus the Kodiaks.

“I’m pretty happy we got to play against the Lethbridge college. Pretty big games.”

He said he was excited to play the Kodiaks again.

“Looking forward to it.”

Martin said the game went pretty good for him, although he didn’t face many shots on goal.

“I only let one goal in, which sucks, but I think I played well.”

Martin was also training with the Kodiaks during the week.

“I’m looking forward to that as well.”

Gregory, 17, said he was just getting back into soccer.

“I haven’t really played any soccer since futsal, aside from Canada Games. After that, I just kind of fell into a state of not being able to take my motivation somewhere else, so I’m just trying to get out here and fall back in love with soccer and hopefully I can do something with it in a few months.”

Gregory plays with the Yukon Selects squad. He also trains at home.

“Me and my father built a rebound wall, so I use that quite often. I’m just trying to get some more touches out here, not really too, too competitive.

“I’m getting over quite a few injuries. That’s kind of what pushed me away from it but I’m finding that motivation again, so I’m hoping that I can take this somewhere else.”

Gregory said he’s looking forward to playing the Kodiaks after missing the first game due to work and school.

“I’m really trying to take advantage of it. I’m really trying to get out there again because I really like to use my speed. That’s one of my best qualities. So I just hope to be able to get out there and not hurt myself and gave a good time.”

The remaining schedule for Soccer Week in the Yukon looks like this:

Kids’ Soccer Saturday at F.H. Turf – ages six to 14

11:30am – 12:00pm – registration

12:00pm – 1:30pm – kids camp coached by college players

Exhibition games:

2 p.m. at F.H. Turf – Lethbridge Women’s Team vs Yukon Women’s Selects

4 p.m. at F.H. Turf – Lethbridge Men’s Team vs Yukon Men’s Selects