Norman Wells soccer player thrilled to be chosen for Team NT at Canada Summer Games

A teenager from Norman Wells was on his way to the Yellowknife airport to catch a flight back home after a training camp in Edmonton when he found out he'd officially been named to Team NT's male soccer team. 

"I screamed, I couldn't believe it," he said. "The car stopped, everyone was like 'are you OK?'" 

Shamar Bennett told the teammates who were giving him a ride that yes, he was OK, and then called his mom to tell her he'd be going to the Canada Summer Games in Ontario in just a few weeks.

"I couldn't stop smiling. It's such a big moment for me, to make Norman Wells proud, and Jamaica," said the 18-year-old.

Bennett, who grew up in Jamaica and moved to Norman Wells three years ago, lobbied the community for financial support to get to Yellowknife for the team's initial selection camp last June. There, he was chosen to keep on training — but the team heading to the Canada Summer Games wasn't finalized until last Friday. 

That meant Bennett had to continue raising money to cover the costs of travelling from Norman Wells to Yellowknife and even Edmonton for training opportunities for the past year, all while wondering if he'd make the official roster. 

"It is a bit of a, you know, an excitement for the athletes because they don't know, they have to work diligently … the whole time." said Rita Mercredi, Sport North's chef de mission (or team leader) for this year's Games, noting that it's up to individual territorial sport organizations to select their teams.

The Canada Summer Games are being held in Niagara, Ont., from Aug. 6 to 21. 

In addition to the male soccer team, Mercredi said this year, the N.W.T. will be sending athletes to compete in athletics, female basketball, male basketball, swimming, tennis, indoor