The Nations Cup has been contested almost twice as many times as the World Cup.

This year is our 31st Nations Cup. The World Cup has been contested 19 times, every 4 years since 1930. While the world has undergone profound change since 1930, the Nations Cup is largely as it began: a showcase for our game and our diversity that has become the premier summer soccer tournament in Western Canada, possibly in the country.

A miniature World Cup, the tournament is a three days of frenetic, fantastical football in which teams play for national pride and bragging rights. The excitement of the condensed format is matched by the consistency and quality of the tournament’s champions. England Men’s team and Canada’s Women’s team won their respective titles

in last year’s tournament. It is the fifth win for the England Men’s team who first became champions in 1982 and the third win in succession for the Canadian Women. Before Canada the Irish Women won the first women’s championship in 2005 and followed up with a second in 2006.
Other tournament champions have been Canada, Germany, Ireland, India, Africa, Italy, Caribbean and Scotland.

None more dominant than the Scots, who claimed eight consecutive events starting in 1992. The Tartan Army cheering Scotland grew louder each year, waving the blue and white banner of St. Andrew and singing “Flower of Scotland” until muted, at least slightly, by Canada’s win in 1990. Passionate competition, tradition and rituals continue, but the event has become so competitive that even Scotland’s dynasty seems impossible to match.

The caliber has always been at an elite level. International players like Eric Ross (Newcastle United), Jim Gabriel (Everton), Alex Reid (Glasgow Rangers), Carl Valentine (Whitecaps and West Bromwich Albion), Lee Davidson (Dundee), as well as Canadian professionals Dale Mitchell, Colin Miller, Arnie Meers, Fran O’Brien, Stephen Burns, Doug McKinty. Jason Levitt, Brent and Brian Gant, Graham Slee, Sammy Saundh, Chris Cheuden, Shaun Louther and Pat Onstad have graced the pitches at Hugh Boyd Park.

Sometimes the Nations Cup plot is so well scripted that the winner seems a foregone conclusion. But the “chosen ones” falter and the outsiders emerge. That’s what makes this game and this championship so exciting. The Nations Cup is now known as the “Geoff Penniston Nations Cup” in honor of Geoff who passed away in 2008. He and his dedicated committee of volunteers founded the tournament in 1979.

The Geoff Penniston Nations Cup itself is presented to the winners of the open division. There are other championships however for Women, over-30’s, over-38’s and over-45’s.

Close to 800 players representing 48 teams will vie for the honors this year. All competitions are contested with spirit and sportsmanship. Many of the players in the senior competitions participated as younger men in the open section. Individual trophies are presented to the top scorer, most outstanding defender and the most outstanding