The inaugural Reid Davidson Memorial Soccer Tournament held last weekend proved to be a resounding success.
The tournament, which was held at the 100 Mile Soccer Fields on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28, featured eight teams competing including the Borderless Baller Boys FC, Rest of the World, Weekend Warriors, The Jailhouse Squad, EFS (European Football School), Captilians, All Luck No Skill and Williams Lake United. Cassidy Mellott, one of the main organizers alongside her sister Caily Mellott, said that all money raised from the weekend will go towards the Reid Davidson Memorial Scholarship at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
"Reid touched a lot of people's lives in a lot of different ways, and it's been a way for everybody to come together and celebrate him while doing something he really loved," Mellott said.
Reid Davidson was an avid soccer player growing up playing in 100 Mile House before stints with rep soccer in Kamloops, as well as the VIU (Vancouver Island University) Mariners. In addition, he had graduated from VIU, being recognized as the Unsung Hero there, and had captained Nanaimo United FC to a Division 2 VISL (Vancouver Island Soccer League) title thanks to his accurate penalty shot, according to his obituary. Reid tragically lost his life last year in a car crash.
Mellott and her sister chose to organize the tournament in his memory because both were his childhood friends and attended school with him. They had the full support of Reid's father Mike Davidson, who attended the tournament to watch. He remarked that all the feedback he heard from the participants was positive.
"The atmosphere was just so positive. There was lots of laughter and fun. It was really nice to be a part of all that,” Davidson said. “Listening to the buzz around the park this weekend a lot of people seem to want to come back and do it again next year.”
The tournament was open to soccer players of all ages and skill levels. Mellott noted that all the players were great to one another and sportsmanlike. She also took part in the tournament playing for the Weekend Warriors during the tournament.
"We built a team for those that were coming from, maybe from another place or didn't know very many people in the community that still wanted to be a part of it," Mellott explained.
The finals on Sunday were ultimately won by North Vancouver’s EFS, who triumphed over hometown team Rest of the World 3-0. Meanwhile, 100 Mile House’s Borderless Baller Boys took home third place beating out Williams Lake United 5-1.
“They were both quite exciting games and even though we had a winner the main purpose was to play, have fun and honour Reid. I think everyone who was there really got that,” Davidson remarked.
EFS player Vanessa Hanson said that she got involved in the tournament because of her connection to Reid.
"Reid played with my brother growing up, so I was close with Reid just watching him grow up being a part of my brother's team in Williams Lake, being a part of the EFS group, which we are representing today, and the BC Summer Games."
Hanson stated that it was nice to play against some familiar players from Williams Lake as well as some new players she had never met before.
"So far, it's been great."
Davidson said that EFS is already eager to return next year and defend its title. He noted he was happy to see so many of his son's friends and his former students come out to honour Reid's memory in such a way.
"He's probably smiling and cheering everybody on right now from above," Davidson remarked Saturday.
Many of the participants told Davidson they intend to spread the word about the tournament and he expects it to grow next year. He praised the Mellott sisters for organizing the tournament with the help of longtime 100 Mile Minor Soccer Association volunteer Werner Heine and other volunteers, describing it as a team effort.
While the total amount raised by the tournament is not yet known, Davidson said early estimates place it at over $7,000 thanks to a mix of entry fees and community donations.
Davidson said he and the Mellotts are already looking ahead to next year to make the tournament bigger and better.
“There’s been so many sad days and moments in our life over the last year or so. To have something like this was one of the rare times when we could actually feel good and really positive,” Davidson said. “It’s one of the things where something positive can come out of the tragic event that happened. The money raised will go towards scholarships in Reid’s name.”
With files from Patrick Davies.
