If the lack of a practice facility was not about to phase the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club) U16 Impact Boys in their i-Model qualifying round opening game earlier this month, then frigid temperatures and driving wind and rain was equally likely to be taken in stride.

Welcoming some new faces to a group that is growing in cohesion each and every year - and fresh off a highly successful winter indoor campaign - the Impact jumped out to a 3-0 half-time lead and emerged with a comfortable win over the perennially tough IFC Woodbridge squad.

A pair of strikes from Iliyas Sambo and a solo effort from Alex Ben-Anteur provided head coach Nigel Croome with some much appreciated flexibility as he looks to build upon a very solid foundation.

"Being up 3-0 at half meant lots of rotation and minutes for the new faces," said Croome, guiding what appears to be the first of the local youth teams to kick off their summer outdoor schedule in April.

Where many teams at this age struggle with decreasing numbers with every passing year, the U16 Impact roster continues to expand, with Alex Ben-Anteur, Alonso Silva, Karim Kaidi, Toby Solarin and Zayd Qaraqouz all new to the fold in 2026.

Returning incumbents include Corvyn Forest, Devun Panella, Diego Larios, Domadius Aziz, Enyinwa Elandu, Hamoudie Najem, Iliyas Sambo, Liam Muldoon, Logan Anderson, Nathan Estriplet, Papa Amofa-Badu, Quentin Hallock, Samuel Lazare, Waylan Croome and Xander Millett.