History of Diamond Drillers and Fury
Last Updated: Oct 24th, 2011
Thank you to Popsicle for sponsorship!
History
The YK Diamond Drillers was the first female soccer club team representing Yellowknife, training girls between 9 and 18 years of age. The Drillers began in September 2004 with the first trip to Mill Woods in Edmonton, continuing today to train girls in the technical and tactical aspects of both indoor and outdoor soccer.
Mike Doyle has been the Diamond Drillers' Coach for all these years, and Vivian Hansen has remained faithful to the team as Manager.
Many of our original Drillers have graduated from high school, leaving a smaller group of now senior girls. As the 2010-2011 season is underway, we are seeing fresh legs join our team! The former Senior Drillers leaving this summer will be missed greatly by those of us "left behind" however we know that the new, upcoming players will find a place on either team and will see great success with this sport we all love greatly!
Past members of the Diamond Drillers: Adrienne Schmaltz, Aimee Guile, Alexandra Hinchey, Alexandra Letzing, Alexis Campbell, Ashley Mulders, Bryana Matthews, Caitlyn Pyke, Dana Harris, Danielle Gillard, Gillian Waugh, Jessica Doyle, Julia Cutler, Keirra Alty, Megan Clelland, Natalie Murphy, Paulina Ross, Ruth Anne, Sarah Ayiku, Sarah Cannell, Suzanne Landry, Tamika Mulders, Taylor Raciborski, Victoria Brenton, and Zoe Guile.
This group of dedicated young ladies trained together, both indoors and out, for several years. Many have represented Team NWT at Western Canada Games, Canada Games and/or Arctic Winter Games. Most played as Drillers at the U14 or U16 Club Nationals competition. In addition they traveled to Fort Simpson, Hay River, Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton on numerous occasions to play in tournaments. These were all trips which provided the girls with cherished memories and friendships as Drillers.
"Fury travelled to 4 provinces and 3 countries over 4 years"
"Much of the success of the Fury Club was a result of the determination/drive in players, sponsor support and a strong parental support group" stated founding Coach Lesley Brandford.
2005 September: Began as a long term developmental program for 92-93 age players with intention of growing to a multi-aged Club Team system.
2005 Touring: Alberta (Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge); Victoria, BC; and Saskatoon, SK.
2007 European Tour (15-day trip to England, Holland): U16 Umbro Cup in Manchester, England with record of 1 win, 3 losses; a 1-week developmental camp in Utrecht, Holland. Approximate total field time including tournament: 6 matches and 12 training sessions. Attended 3 professional matches.
2008 Junior Fury U11 Development Program started by Lesley Brandford and Vivian Hansen with Senior Fury Players participating as supporting coaches.
2008 Fury Players formed the Yellowknife Regional Team, competed at the territorial level to represent Team NWT and earned a Silver Ulu at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games held in Yellowknife.
2010 Many Fury players successfully made Team NWT U17 and U15 to Arctic Winter Games held in Grande Prairie, AB.
Fury Coaching Staff - "Leading the Team Upward and Onward"
Head Coach Lesley Brandford 2005-2009
Head Coach Isaac Ayiku 2009-2010
Assistant Coach Mark Huntley 2009-2010
Assistant Coach Leon Brady 2009-2010
Assistant Coach Steve Hatch 2010
Head Coach Mark Huntley 2010-2011
Fury Support Staff - "Volunteers Who Gave Plenty" Thank You!!!!
Alex Hampson (Team Manager 2005-2009), Bill Coedy, Karen Binder, Wendy Hunt, Craig Broddy, Dan Short, Bonnie Stevens
Fury Team Sponsors - "Invaluable Community Support"
Founding sponsor who significantly contributed to the success of the club is Midnight Sun Energy of Yellowknife (Thank You Alex!!).
Additional sponsors over the years include: A Taste of Saigon, Northbest Foods and Overlander Sports.
Fury Team - "Giving to the Community"
For four years the Fury team co-organized the Christmas Merry Kickmas and summer Mini World Cup Yellowknife Tournaments with the Diamond Drillers Club. This allowed Fury players to take roles in coaching, mentoring and refereeing.
2008 - Junior Fury U12 Development Program started, with Senior Fury players assisting in coaching duties
Fury introduced the annual Fold the Wall Camp, allowing other teams to share the full St. Pats and Weledeh Gym environment for their development and training programs.
Fury Players - "Advancing in Competitions"
As a result of the training programs and determination of the players, a strong majority of players participated in the 2007 Arctic Winter Games, 2007 Western Canada Games, and 2009 Canada Summer Games.
Four players made AWG 2010 Indoor soccer teams in U17 and U15 categories.
Original Fury Players
2005
Ben Beaudoin, Devon Gelinas, Devon Madsen, Dylan Long, Griffen Wile, Hovo Adbekyan, Ishai Forget Manson, Jarad Gelanas, Jefferson Saunders, Jordan Walz, Justin Le, Liam Coedy, Logan Mitev, Nathan Paquin, Nelson Devana, Rainer Erasmus
2006 additions:
Alex Hunt, Jake Weisser, Jeremy Grayston, Ryan Wallace
2007 additions:
Albert Castro, Austin Knutson, ZanderAffleck
