Eight football players from Kelowna boarded a plane to Edmonton this week, hopeful that they will bring the U16 Western Challenge trophy home to B.C.

The young men, all between the ages of 13 and 15, are representing the B.C. Provincial Football Association害羞草研究所檚 U16 Team BC. Athletes from across the province tried out for the team this spring for 40 positions on the final roster.

The successful Kelowna players are: Liam Atwood, receiver/kicker Rutland Voodoos; Nathan Beauchemin, defensive back Kelowna Owls; Tariq Brown, defensive back, Kelowna Owls; Bronte Gallo, defensive line, Mount Boucherie Bears; Noah Gross, defensive back, Kelowna Owls; Jack Nyrose, defensive back, KMFA Mission Lions; Caeleb Schlacter, receiver, Kelowna Owls; and Aidan Vint, receiver, Kelowna Owls.

害羞草研究所淭his is a very strong showing from our region,害羞草研究所� said BCPFA U16 head coach Trent Schmuland, a coach with the Kelowna Minor Football Association (KMFA) and the KSS Owls. 害羞草研究所淜elowna is really grooming some excellent talent. These guys are great athletes with the right attitude. I害羞草研究所檓 really excited about the team we害羞草研究所檝e put together this year.害羞草研究所�

In addition to Schmuland, the U16 Team BC coaching staff also features Don Richmond, well-known coach of the Okanagan Sun害羞草研究所擪endall Gross, head coach of the KSS Owls JV team, and Guy Lemieux, offensive coach for KMPF害羞草研究所檚 JB Mission Lions.

The U16 Western Challenge, hosted by Alberta Football this year, is an annual event which sees the best of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba square off in a bid for the Western Canadian title.

Team B.C. hits the gridiron at Foote Field on the University of Alberta campus for its first game against Team Alberta on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Fans can view the action via

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