A Surrey soccer team has celebrated a remarkable milestone, claiming three straight British Columbia championships in youth soccer. The BC Tigers FC 07 boys squad, coached by Jay-jay Pierre, secured the U18 provincial title in Kamloops this July, completing a rare three-peat.
“It’s a big achievement for a Surrey-based team,” said Swarnjit Grewal, team manager since the club’s formation.
This championship marks the final season for the squad, which has now “aged out” of youth sports after a decade together. Over the years, some players have come and gone, but the core team remained intact.
“Despite early challenges and doubts, this team has grown into one of the most decorated squads in the 2007 age group across British Columbia,” Grewal noted. “Since U18 is the final year in youth soccer, this ends our amazing youth journey. It’s about growth, friendships, character, and memories that will last a lifetime, not just skills and trophies.”
The BC Tigers’ success extends beyond provincial play. Last fall, they represented B.C. at the U17 nationals in Nova Scotia. While they did not medal in Sydney, the experience helped fuel their championship run in 2025, along with victories in league and Coastal Cup competitions.
“Every team dreams of going to nationals, which we did last year, but it isn’t possible for this age group this year,” Grewal explained.
As the players transition to adult leagues, some will continue to play together on the same teams. Grewal highlighted the team’s resilience and cohesion over the years.
“We faced many struggles early on, but most players stayed together through tough times. The last few years have been incredibly successful. I’m still checking if any other team has won three straight B.C. championships. It could be very rare or even unprecedented in the province,” he said.
Grewal praised Patrick Prele, BC Tigers club technical director, for his role in guiding the team, along with the coaches and supportive parents.
For the 2025 season, the team roster included Angad Gill, Francesco Rettis, Humaid Abbasi, Aman Nagra, Sahej Hayer, Easher Dhaliwal, Joshua Masilya, Andrew Sarkodie, Aryan Naidu, Alejandro Carrilo, Shivnesh Pillay, Arman Benipal, Gursehaj Sandhu, Jaiten Grewal, Verdhaan Sidhu, Justin Mann, Mateo Simas, Jagjot Bhathal, and Navjot Gill.
The BC Tigers trained and played at Newton Athletic Park, a key venue in Surrey.
“It’s a good park, but space is limited for all teams. Sometimes we had to practice on just a quarter of the field,” Grewal explained. “Winter is especially challenging because grass fields close due to rain. During November through February, all teams share the turf fields, which can get very crowded.”
The BC Tigers’ decade-long journey demonstrates how dedication, teamwork, and community support can build one of B.C.’s most successful youth soccer programs. Their three-peat in provincial championships will remain a memorable achievement for the players, coaches, and families involved.
