Strathmore Soccer Association partners with Cavalry FC for upcoming season
By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter
The Strathmore Soccer Association (SSA) has announced its official participation in the 2022 Cavalry FC Club Program.
According to the release announcing the partnership, the SSA is proud to be the first organization to have joined the program and is excited to be working with the Calgary Region’s professional soccer team.
“Strathmore Soccer has decided to make the investment to participate in the Cavalry FC Club program, which is a community outreach program where we’re able to then align better with their club and receive some benefits such as access to coaching programming … as well as player benefits,” said Ryan Parkins, technical director of the SSA. “Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of advancements as an organization: from restructuring our society, to our registered society name so that we encompass all age groups within the community.”
Sporting a new logo, brand and strategy, Parkins added the SSA is now among the first clubs in Alberta to align with the Standards for Quality Soccer (SQS).
He said when the program was announced by Cavalry FC, the SSA was quick to jump on board as it was felt by the team that participating aligned with the goals and values they wished to achieve.
“The big thing is that there will be a lot of interactive opportunities for members of our association. For young players, some of them will have the chance to play at a professional game at the halftime show,” explained Parkins. “We also got the opportunity for two different visits from professional players and potentially coaches of the Cavalry FC where they’ll come out to Strathmore, and we’ll be delivering programming with them.”
The only challenge in joining the program, Parkins explained, was the initial financial investment to secure the SSA’s position in the partnership.
It was determined, however, that the potential benefit to joining the program far outweighed the lump costs.
“It’s a perfect opportunity for us to help promote the local game and develop those players who will be playing on those national teams in the future,” said Parkins.
The Cavalry FC programming will coincide with the team’s regular season and opportunities in Strathmore could begin as early as April.
Additionally, the SSA will be raffling off tickets to nearly every Cavalry FC home game this season, as well as for swag and memorabilia.
Parkins also hopes that the SSA’s involvement with Cavalry FC will help to promote the game locally and encourage more local youth to come out and try out soccer.