A small contingent of southwest Sask. football players excelled on the international stage last week helping Canada claim a pair of championships.

Ten locals, nine players and one coach, were a part of the Sask Selects that travelled to Emsdetten, Germany, to compete in the 2024 OneWorld Bowl Games with Canada winning the 14U and 16U divisions.

“It was an experience of a lifetime for all of the kids, I think they’ll have this memory forever,” Canada’s 14U and 16U Defensive line coach Matt Nicholson said. “Some of them actually met people and gained some comradery, friendship, and contact information that can be lifelong friends for them. You will only replicate it if you go back and if you don’t, then you will always have that.”  

Cole Allen, Jamie Robertson, and Chase Auseth played on the 14U Canadian team that posted a 4-0 record over the United States and Germany outscoring them 90-6 in the process.

Owen Sletten, Xander Nicholson, Parker Robertson, Austin Bidwell, Deric Dulatre, and Kye Griffen suited up for the 16U team that also went a perfect 4-0. They beat Denmark 32-0, Germany 32-8, the Netherlands 17-0, and the United States 13-6.

“We didn’t know what we were going to face,” he remarked. “We expected the competition to be very fierce and we did very well… As I personally expected, the Americans to be a very tough crew and it was a very tough game that we played them in the championship.”

Aside from the dominant performances on the field, Nicholson, a local restaurant owner, said they spent plenty of time touring checking out historical buildings, travelling via train, and enjoying top-notch food.

“The food was some of the best I’ve ever had,” he said. “In Canada, we have so much processed tasting food and there, they’re hardcore fresh and it’s a real experience.”

Nicholson said the trip wouldn’t have been possible without the Sask Selects organizers Zeljko and Deb Stefonovic.