Soccer-filled weekend honours memory of Paul Stipdonk
Published 1:18 pm Friday, February 6, 2026
The Paul Stipdonk Memorial Tournament celebrated its 13th annual event in Fort Simpson Jan. 30-31.
Named in honour of Paul Stipdonk — a former teacher, board member, bus driver and coach — the fun-filled weekend featured soccer games, skills competitions and even some hockey games.
Jackie Thompson Whelly, a teacher at Liidlii Kue Regional High School, spoke with NNSL Media regarding the event.
“This tournament is a good opportunity for children to have access to the sport of soccer,” she said. “It’s really just a weekend of fun. There are no winners, there are no losers, there are just kids out there having fun, gathering together.”
As a Mackenzie Recreation Association signature event, the association provided food and keepsakes while facilities were organized in partnership with the Village of Fort Simpson.
Thompson Whelly spoke to the community spirit and good nature exhibited during the event.
“In the previous years, we’ve always had a new community come, and they’ve always enjoyed themselves and had a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s just designed to be a weekend where kids are exposed to the sport of soccer while having fun with their friends.”
This year, in addition to soccer games and prized-based skills events, the tournament ran alongside the Dehcho Cup, a regional hockey tournament.
Thompson Whelly praised the volunteer turn out for the event, noting that “without volunteers, an event like this wouldn’t happen.”
She expressed her gratitude for the efforts behind organizing, scheduling and coaching.
“It was all teenage youth that refereed the soccer games, that coached the soccer teams — for the Fort Simpson teams anyways. It’s a great opportunity for the youth to give back.”
Remembering community members of the past and community building for the future remain at the core of the event, according to Thompson Whelly.
“It really builds a community of volunteers,” she said.
“We’re always grateful that the Stipdonk family allows us to honour their grandfather, their dad, their husband, in a way that is really meaningful to our kids and our communities, and that really makes it worth every volunteer hour.”