Alberta clubs chase national glory as National Championships hit Ottawa Oct. 8-12

Photo by Canada Soccer (CS)

OTTAWA — Ottawa is about to host the oldest amateur soccer competition in the country for the first time.

The National Championships run Oct. 8-12 in the nation's capital, leading into Thanksgiving weekend, with 18 teams across the men's and women's divisions. Host club Gloucester Celtic has full-tournament passes on sale for $35, day passes for $20.

There is a brand-new format this year. Nine teams per division split into three groups playing Thursday through Saturday. All three group winners take home a national medal. The best group winner goes straight to Monday's Canadian Finals; the other two meet Sunday for the second spot.

Alberta sends three clubs, and all three have something to prove.

On the men's side, Calgary Rangers SC are first-time finalists, drawn in Group B with Panathinaikos Toronto FC and CS Dieppe. Reigning champions Holy Cross FC headline Group A.

On the women's side, FC Viktoria Edmonton are first-time finalists in Group A alongside reigning champs Holy Cross FC and Saskatoon LAFC Unity FC. Northwest United/St. Albert Impact are back as a returning finalist in Group B with CS LaSalle and hosts Gloucester Hornets SC.

Amateur soccer doesn't get a bigger stage in this country. For the Alberta sides, it is five days in October to make the trip east mean something.