The CAMROSE BOOSTER, March 22, 2022 – Page 8
By Lori Larsen
A golden moment for Conlan
Bringing home the gold from the U15 (boys indoor) Soccer Provincials, held on March 11 to 13 in Calgary, was an incredible accomplishment for the Camrose Vikings U15 boys indoor soccer team. It was an accomplishment that was met with notes of both joy and sorrow, as the team is still mourning the loss of fallen teammate Conlan Davey. Conlan passed away on December 7, 2021, only months into the new soccer season, and only 13 years into his young and vibrant life. Mom Franny and dad Will, lifelong Camrosians, shared an insight into Conlan’s life and character, describing how he was full of spirit and passion. “He was the type of kid who would help if you needed it, or give you a big hug if you needed it,” said Franny. “He loved soccer and the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid was his favourite player. But soccer was his heart. His energy levels were off the handle when it came to soccer, and when the team would win, he would be floating,” smiled Franny. On the other hand, she said, he didn’t take losses very well and would be very hard on himself, a characteristic not unusual for someone with a deep passion for life. Conlan began playing soccer when he was six years old. Despite trying other sports, he decided early that soccer was his game. For the most part, he played the position of striker, but was beginning to try his hand as goalie. “This season, he preferred playing striker, but he said
he was there to step in as goalie if the team needed. That was just the kind of kid he was,” said Franny. Throughout the years, Conlan played off and on with the players of this U15 Vikings team, during which time the entire family, including Conlan’s younger brother Jameson (now five), quite literally grew to be a part of the soccer family. “Watching these kids grow up together, you don’t really think about it,” said Will. “But it is a little soccer family.” Throughout the season, the team experienced its share of losses, and not just on the soccer pitch. Besides the heartbreaking loss of Conlan, the team assistant coach Jared Litvak suddenly lost his father, and the team manager Brier O’Neil suddenly lost her mother.
the team’s jerseys acted as a constant reminder of the people they lost and how they will always remain in their hearts. “Pink was Conlan’s favourite colour,” said Will, relating a story about how that came about. “When he was about eight or nine, he was sticking up for another kid who was being bullied because he was wearing a pink shirt. Conlan said to the other boy, ‘There is nothing wrong with pink, pink is my favourite colour too,’ even though it wasn’t at the time.” From that point on, pink held a special place in Conlan’s life and, along with his signature curls, became a symbol of his feisty, yet soft nature. In a courageous show of support, Franny and Will attended the Provincials in Calgary and, alongside other team parents and friends, cheered the Vikings on to a 4-3 win. “There were five minutes left in the game and we were down 3-1,” said Camrose Vikings assistant coach Jared Litvak. Incredibly, the team scored two goals to tie it up, and then scored the winning goal in a penalty kick shoot-out. Litvak summed up the thoughts that went through many minds on March Submitted 13, as the last penFranny, left, and Will Davey hold the alty kick was taken. gold game trophy. “I am pretty sure But rather than field the last miss by Laurier the loss with hopelessness, Heights (opposing team) the coaches and the team in the penalty kicks was members decided to use deflected by Conlan up into these challenging life events the heavens, forever to be to build up motivation. Lit- remembered.” Franny and Will both tle pink hearts sewn onto
said that the team, coaches and parents supported their decision to be at the games 100 per cent. In fact, Will, at the suggestion of Conlan, had become the bench parent and resumed that position during the Provincials. While admitting it was extremely emotional, as most would attest, to be at the games without Conlan actually present, both Franny and Will said it was also very cathartic. “With every win it got more and more intense, but I felt more and more that he was there. I believe that the angel in the soccer field was there for sure,” emoted Franny. Besides the incredible support Franny and Will feel from the soccer family, both commented on how wonderful the community has been in rallying around the family as well. “People around town had pink lights turned on– Downtown and businesses. It just blows me away how many people this kid actually touched. It doesn’t matter how big Camrose gets, it is still this little tight-knit community that is there for you to support you however it can,” commented Will. Franny added that in their darkest times, the pink lights lit up by various community members gave them strength to continue through their own journey of grief. “On Christmas Day, we found out that Cliff and Deb Drever set up a memorial fund for Conlan in collaboration with Battle River Community Foundation. It goes towards kids’ sports or activities.” To ensure the memori-
Conlan Davey
al fund continues to thrive, the Daveys will be hosting a golf tournament this year to raise more funds, also in hopes of being able to fund more than one recipient annually. “To help other kids be able to do what they love, to follow through with their passions, would have meant the world to Conlan,” said Will. For more information on the Conlan Davey Memorial Fund, visit the Battle River Community Foundation website at www.brcf.ca. There is no doubt that Conlan would be proud knowing his albeit short life was not in vain. Other children will be given missed opportunities to enjoy sports and other activities because of the memorial fund created in his name. One of the gold medals won by the Vikings on March 13 now hangs in a special place in the Davey home in honour of a very special boy–a cherished son and family member, a devoted friend and a determined teammate. Conlan will be missed on the field, but his legacy of doing the right thing and being a good person will play on forever in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him.
Vikings U15 bring home gold
By Murray Green
Camrose Vikings U15 boys indoor soccer team earned gold medals at Provincials in Calgary on March 11 to 13. Nine teams were entered in provincials and Camrose played four games to garner the gold medals. “In game one, we played a Calgary team and won 6-0. The next three games were a lot closer, so it was nice to have an easier opening game,” said assistant coach Jared Litvak. “We played a strong Sherwood Park team in the second game. We were down in that game, but came back to win 3-2,” shared Jared. “The next day, we played in the semifinal game against REO, an Edmonton team that we played all year in the EMSA (Edmonton Minor Soccer Association) regular
season. We played the best game of the year to win 3-2. They played phenomenally well as far as passing and positioning, that we have been working on all year. They picked the perfect time for it to come together.” Camrose played Laurier Heights of Edmonton in the gold medal match. During the regular season, the clubs split games played. “They outplayed us in both games, but our goaltending and defence won us one of those games.” It was a different story in the goal medal match. “They jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the half, and a 3-1 lead late in the game. It didn’t look good with five minutes left. Then we had an epic play that turned the game. Laurier Heights had a breakaway and our goalie (Nolan Litvak) came flying out of his crease because the shooter pushed the ball out
in front of him. Our goalie got a piece of the ball, but put himself out of the play and our trailing defender (Chance Powers) launched his body in the air, and with his foot, he blocked the rebound. The crowd went wild and then we went down to the other end and scored. The other team sagged and we exploded. After a lot of pressure, we scored to tie the game with a minute and a half left. We hit the post with 40 seconds left, we were that close to winning,” explained Jared. The game ended in a tie to force a series of penalty kicks to determine the winner. Laurier Heights missed both shots, while Camrose scored to claim the championship. Penalty kicks are hard to stop in indoor soccer, because goalies can’t move out of their crease. “Those scores are low for indoor soccer. Our
Courtesy of Pro Sports Photography The Camrose U15 boys indoor soccer team and coaches are all smiles after winning the gold.
defence was the strong point of our team all season long. With the lively boards of indoor soccer, it is harder to play that well defensively. Indoor soccer is more exciting to watch because the boards keep the ball in play, more shots on goal,” said Jared. “We expected better defence from other teams at Provincials.”
Powers was picked up from Red Deer to join the Camrose team for Provincials. “He was having a tough tournament until that play. He made up for it in spades on just one play.” Most of the players on the championship team have played together for about seven years.
