Three Sturgeon County athletes to represent Team Alberta

By Haylee Winger

Three local football players are heading to the national stage. Mason Funk, Travis Heal, and Micah Lorenzin have been named to Team Alberta’s roster for the 2025 Football Canada U16 Western Challenge.

It’s a big moment not just for the players, but for Sturgeon County, which will have strong representation at one of the most competitive youth football tournaments in the country.

The path to making the team was highly competitive. It started with over 400 hopefuls- 200 from Northern Alberta and 200 from the south. From those tryouts, 100 players from each region were selected to compete in a North vs South showcase. After that, just 66 were invited to a final provincial camp, where coaches made the tough decision of narrowing it down to the top 40 athletes to represent Alberta on the national stage. 

Travis Heal, one of the athletes on the roster, took a moment to thank the people who have helped him reach this point.

“Making Team Alberta Football is a huge accomplishment. Big thanks to my coaches and parents for always pushing me, and thanks to God for guiding me every step of the way, ”

The U16 Western Challenge will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from June 29 to July 6. Teams from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta will go head-to-head in a week-long competition that showcases some of the best young football talent in Western Canada.

With three hometown players in the lineup, Sturgeon County will be well represented when Alberta hits the field.