Returning to the pitch

Friday, 27 May 2022 11:44

font size decrease font size increase font size
Email

Soccer is back in Boissevain. The young players were out warming up their soccer skills while preparing for their first true season since 2019.

First it was two years of the pandemic. Then it was inclement weather. Now, however, regular soccer has returned to Boissevain.
Another casualty of COVID, the Boissevain Soccer Association is back on the pitch. The sport, growing in Boissevain and in the area was off to a slow start in 2022 with the snow and rain, but they have finally been able to get the balls and goals out. Under 12 President Niki Harper said they did have to make a move in order to start up.
“Yes, the fields are still not usable even this week due to moisture and soft ground, and don’t want to damage the ground, so we didn’t start until May 16. We had to move to the school and beside Tiny Turtle daycare to accommodate the field conditions. Our usual start date is the last week of April.”
Soccer was not able to have a regular season in neither 2020 nor 2021 due to the pandemic, although Harper said they were able to hold a few day camps and other events. It was frustrating, she said, as they went through all of the registrations just to shut down.

This year, there are 77 kids signed up for the 12 and under program, with 13 for the 13-15 year old Southwest United Soccer Association (SUSA) team. Harper said her highest numbers were 121, so having 90 after a couple of disappointing years is more than decent.
“Obviously the interest/need is still there and I’m confident next year’s numbers will be better.”
The SUSA program was formed three years ago and is an opportunity for the older kids to continue on in the sport. The team is made up of players from Souris, Nesbitt, Killarney and Boissevain. They play in the Westman Regional Soccer Association, which is under the Manitoba Soccer Association. SUSA has regular games against Brandon and Minnedosa teams, with an end of year tournament on June 25. The schedule for these games can be found on the SUSA Facebook page. Jennifer Beard is the president and coach of that squad. As there are water issues in the other communities, Harper said there could be a lot of home games for the teams in Boissevain.
In the younger league, Deloraine is taking a year off, Hartney and Killarney are only participating in the year-end tournament but Souris and Waskada have joined in this season. Harper said they usually put in seven weeks of play in different age groups. There have been challenges due to supply chain issues, with shortages of cleats, soccer shorts and shin guards. As well, there are 24 kids in the 11-12-age team, so they are looking for a few more jerseys. Most games are on Wednesday evening starting at 6pm. The year-end tournament is June 18 and 19 in Souris.
One of the reasons soccer is growing in popularity is it is less expensive to participate in than other sports. In Boissevain, it only costs $60 to register in 12 and under. Also, soccer has more profile than it did in previous generations. There is a major league in North America, the English Premier League is televised here, the Canadian women’s team is always competitive, and this year Canada will be in the World Cup. Harper feels these developments will help grow the game even more.
Harper said this would be her last year as president of the association. They are currently looking for board members, and they need to update job positions and formal processes.
They are hoping to move back to their proper fields south of the Lions ball diamonds if the weather improves. Otherwise, everyone is thrilled to get back on the pitch.
“We are so happy to be on the fields hearing the kids yell, laugh and run around outside. Great exercise and very accessible sport for kids,” Harper stated.
“The kids make this all worthwhile. Lots of smiles, laughter and out of breath kids running outside. What could be better?”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff

Read 119 times

Published in News