James Duntra, a 16 year old from Fort Liard, N.W.T., is currently on his way to a five-day soccer camp in the United Kingdom.

Duntra is attending a camp at a Manchester United school in Europe where he hopes to both improve his soccer skills and take in as much as he can from the other side of the world.

"I don't really have any words to describe how excited I am to go on this trip," said Duntra.

The camp is held at the Denstone College in Manchester. It's affiliated with Manchester United, a soccer team in the English Premier League, and runs from Aug. 2 to Aug. 7.

Duntra, a midfielder, raised $7,000 — both of his own money and through fundraising — to pay for the trip. The Acho Dene Koe Band, in partnership with TransCanada Pipelines, contributed $3,000, and the local Northern Store put a donation box in their store.

Williams, left, will accompany Duntra on his trip to the U.K. Williams, Duntra's former coach, is from the area and will act as both a chaperone and tour guide. (Submitted by Ollie Williams) Duntra has never left Canadian soil, so a trek across the ocean made him and his parents extra nervous. Luckily, his former coach Ollie Williams, who is from the U.K., offered to be his guide.

"I wouldn't miss something like this for the world," said Williams. "I think it's going to be fantastic for him."

Williams came to the Northwest Territories to volunteer with his wife for 10 months. Soon, he found himself coaching soccer in Fort Liard.

"I think the moment I started speaking and everyone heard my English accent they just said: 'Do you play soccer?'" he said.

"As soon as I said yes, that was it. That was all anybody wanted to do."

Maturity shines through sport

Roslyn Firth, Fort Liard's recreation coordinator, has watched Duntra develop over the past seven years — both as a soccer player and as a person.

"I have been around since he started playing, and I know him well and have enjoyed seeing him grow into a really skilled soccer player," she said. "It's just a pleasure to see somebody maturing like he is."

Despite Duntra's maturity, venturing into a foreign country alone as a teenager can be a daunting proposition. However, with Williams by his side, Duntra will not only learn new skills at the camp, but also have a chance to tour around the area.

The pair is staying for two weeks, with the time not dedicated to the camp devoted to sightseeing and watching professional soccer games. The two will go see a Manchester City game, which is not only Manchester United's rival, but also Williams's favourite team.

"He barked at me a couple times for going to a Manchester United soccer school," Duntra says, laughing.

James now telling <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNorth">@CBCNorth</a> how I'm a big <a href="https://twitter.com/MCFC">@MCFC</a> fan & how distressed I was to discover he's travelling 6,500 km to a <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd">@ManUtd</a> soccer school. —@OllieNWT

Williams, though, is just happy Duntra has the opportunity to experience another city — to say nothing of another continent.

"There is no better ambassador for Fort Liard, I think, than James. I think he's an exceptional young man," Williams said.

"I think he'll do an incredible job when he gets to England of showcasing just how good and how determined soccer players from the Northwest Territories can be."

Duntra was very grateful for all the support he received from various members of the community, as well as his parents. He dreams of playing professional soccer one day, and he hopes this camp will help him reach his goal.

Perhaps equally important is his desire to inspire others. After the trip, Duntra said he plans on hosting a clinic for other youth in Fort Liard.

"What I'm doing here will certainly open doors for other kids younger than me to start going out and seeing the world," he said. "Seeing what the world has to offer.

"[They'll say] 'Of James could do it, I could do it too,' you know?"