Minor soccer looking forward to the opening of new fields
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Strathmore Minor Soccer held their Annual General Meeting, AGM, on Feb. 9, to discuss what is in store for them in 2011. President Mark Shorhen said they have a few things on the go, such as the outdoor fields which won’t likely be playable until early summer. The new fields are located behind Walmart, east of the Ranch Estates, and Shorhen said it’s already the highlight of their year.
“We’re hopefully going to have something kind of in line with the Town’s centennial this year,” said Shorhen.
He said they would like to hold a grand opening once the fields are ready. Shorhen said recent discussions by the Golf Club and the Lions Club about opening a recreational facility were also discussed at the AGM.
“We’re really hoping that can be spearheaded or go through sooner than later. We’re in dire need of indoor facilities to increase our numbers,” said Shorhen.
The indoor teams practice in the school gyms, which isn’t really all that beneficial, said Shorhen.
“They don’t have the boards, they’re playing on a fairly slippery wooden surface, it’s not the ideal conditions.”
The indoor teams also play in the city but sometimes may miss out on games due to poor road conditions. This year a U14 indoor boys team is heading to Edmonton to take part in provincials.
“Its (the) first in quite a few years that we’ve sent a team up there,” said Shorhen. Shorhen said the team going is a good team and it should be a very competitive game.
Like any group or organization funding is needed to keep things going and to keep costs down.
“We’re pursuing some fundraising. We’re trying to keep soccer at a minimal cost to people just so that everybody has the ability to get into it,” said Shorhen.
He said one of the board members is coordinating the corporate end of things, and he said they hope to fundraise in some form. Shorhen also said with so many people coming into the sport, they are always looking for more coaches. He said for coaches who have been there for a bit they are looking to put them into coaching certification courses, giving them advanced training through Alberta soccer. He said you don’t only do the theory in the course, but actually participate in the drills. There is an online option at www.strathmoresoccer.ca, for parents wishing to enroll their children.