If losing big games is the first step towards learning to win those very same encounters, the Copper Cliff U11 AA Reds are chomping at the bit to take that next step.

Compiling a season record of 33-24-8, the Reds advanced to five separate tournament finals this year, falling just short each and every time, including twice in overtime. Talk about a character building season.

Just getting to that point, however, required the Copper Cliff youngsters to post undefeated records at the 400 Cup in Barrie (4-0), the Fall Classic in Peterborough (5-0) and the TNT Tornadoes Tournament in January (4-0).

The Reds also fell in the Regional Silver Stick final in Sudbury in December and, most recently, posted a 2-2 record in round robin play at the 2024 NOHA Tournament of Champions, upsetting the Nickel City Sons 2-1 in the semi-finals before being bested by a very talented Soo Jr Greyhounds side.

Interesting side-stat: the Reds did not lose a single game this year in which they were on the verge of being eliminated.

The 2023-2024 edition of the Copper Cliff U11 AA Reds featured Mio Martic, Mylo McHugh, Cedric Poulin, Arlo Angus, Reid Pitre, Tyce Cousineau, Bryce Courtney, Nate Didone, Patrick Snow, Easton Bradley, Merrick Charbonneau, Carter Kuczma, Sam Seguin, Jeremie Neale, Jack Stone, Ronan Koka and Jaxon Rocca.

Guiding this group this year were head coach Blake Didone, assistant coaches Rob Snow, Mike Kuczma, Mike Stone and Claude Charnonneau as well as team manager Tracy Caridade.