Hants County hosts memorial soccer tourney

A memorial soccer tournament took place throughout Hants County Aug. 1-3 in honour a young man who loved the game. Ryan Lahey was an avid soccer player and athlete in the area.

In the championship games over the Sam Slick weekend: the under-12 boys West Hants Shanks team defeated the West Hants Reynolds 3-2; the under-12 girls West Hants Lake team also beat out the West Hants Ashworth team 3-2 in overtime; the under-14 girls West Hants Hughes won over the West Hants Cyclones 1-0; and the under-16 boys Bridgewater Scotians won against the West Hants team 4-1.

As Ryan’s contribution to sport was marked with a moment of silence during the tournament, people took time to remember his life before he died in a motor vehicle accident, as a passenger to an impaired driver, on March 31, 2007 at the age of 20.

Jannie Lahey, Ryan’s mother, said she organized the event as a way to remember her son life but also wanted to retell the story of his death to teach a lesson to other kids playing the game. “Hopefully, this will cause them to think twice about getting in a car with someone who is drinking and driving… or prevent others from drinking and driving.”

Soccer is full of good life’s lessons because it’s a sport demanding so much, Lahey said. “Having kids see results from applying themselves teaches them things they take with them forever… Ryan was full of determination and skill… he always gave 110 per cent.”

Full of energy

He was just full of energy and anyone who met him thought the world of him, Lahey added. “He’d have been so proud of what we did for him… soccer was his true love.”

Lahey first played soccer through the West Hants United Soccer Association when he was 10-years-old until he switched to playing for Dartmouth United at age 17-18. He was also involved in school soccer and played on the Avon View team in Grades 10 and 11.

During his spare time, Lahey refereed soccer games in this area and helped coach an Under 12 Boys team in West Hants with his father in 2006. He also liked to play hockey.

West Hants United Soccer Association president Mark Ashworth said the event was a great thing for this community because there really wasn’t a youth soccer tournament in the West Hants region before. “Having it as a memorial tournament gave that extra meaning to it… this was definitely an appropriate way to remember Ryan.”

This tournament acted as a focal point where everyone could meet and get together, Ashworth added. “I’d certainly support having it as an annual event in this area.”

Dan Isenor, Ryan’s longtime friend, played on many sports teams with Lahey. He was home visiting from Alberta when he heard about the tournament and offered to help out.

Ryan was a quick and all around skilled soccer player but he was also a good guy in general as he was very smart and funny, Isenor said. “I liked helping out with the games.”

It was good to see all the kids out playing and having fun, Isenor added. “Ryan probably wouldn’t say too much about the event – he was kind of shy – but he would have like it.”

Medals, encrusted with a logo containing Lahey’s name and initials, were awarded to teams placing first and second in the tournament.