A lot of my colleagues here know that I’m involved in soccer coaching with my three young boys. The last time I stood and delivered a member’s statement where I spoke about a soccer tournament, it ended in a bit of heartache, Mr. Speaker, but today’s is not the case. Today is quite a great story.

Our 2012 Soo City Junior United boys’ team was able to split into two separate soccer teams. We brought our two teams to Petoskey this last weekend—I have some sun still remaining from that. We brought our two teams to Petoskey’s spring coast classic: 16 total teams in this age group, Mr. Speaker. Our boys, in their respective divisions, went 3-0; won their semi-final games; and met in the finals, playing Sault Ste. Marie versus Sault Ste. Marie. And guess what? Sault Ste. Marie won.

It was a great day. I’m so proud of all of our boys, the amount of work that they put into the sport, the amount of time and effort, and, obviously, the parents as well and all the work they put in. It’s the third time I have been able to go to a soccer tournament with my own sons. I remember doing it as a youngster, as a kid. Sometimes we say as parents, “You live so much more vicariously through your children’s eyes,” and Mr. Speaker, I can say that is absolutely the case. It was an absolute pleasure to watch, although my son is a lot more competitive than I ever was. Those are my words, Mr. Speaker.