Special Olympics qualifier
London Community News
Photos by Jonathon Brodie/London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie
Nine teams crowded the North London Soccer Fields to compete in the Special Olympics provincial qualifier for the southwest region Sunday (Aug. 19).
Four local squads, two teams making the short trip from St. Thomas and groups from Strathroy, Woodstock and Stratford came out for the all-day soccer tournament in hopes to move onto the Special Olympics Ontario 2013 Summer Games in the York Region.
The nine teams were split into a blue and white division with every squad playing at least four games of 4-on-4 soccer on a smaller field, before the wrapping the day up with a gold medal matchup.
The London Lasers beat the St. Thomas team in the final showdown to take the top spot in the white division and Stratford won over Woodstock to claim gold in the blue division.
There are 16 spots for soccer teams at the Provincial Games and only 12 regional tournaments with every region getting at least one team entered into the summer event. Regions with the biggest team turnout at their tournament will be awarded an extra spot at the Ontario Games.
[gallery link="file"]