More than 225 young girls and boys are hitting the local soccer fields this summer, proving how popular the sport has become in the Tantramar region.
From ages five to 18, the Sackville Youth Soccer Association boasts a program for just about every age level, even adopting a senior league that attracts adult players up to the age of 60.
Gene Ouelette, incoming president of the SYSA, said he thinks there are various reasons for such a strong interest in the summer sport.
“It’s seen as being such a great physical activity for youth,” he said. “And a lot of kids join up because they know their friends are going to be there, so there’s that social component as well. And, of course, the costs are incredibly reasonable compared to some other sports.”
Ouelette also pointed out that, although players over the age of 10 are competing in the Eastern Soccer League, the program’s focus is more on the developmental aspects of the sport
“It’s a competitive league but we run it more as a recreational program, so everyone gets to play and there aren’t any tryouts (for spots on the team).”
The soccer season kicked off in Sackville last month and will run through until the third week of August, followed up by playoffs and provincials.
Youths ages five to eight make up the mini soccer program, in which participants are taught the basic skills and rules of the game. This year, 75 youngsters are registered at that level.
For the first year, kids ages nine and 10 have moved up from the mini program to start their own “makeshift” U-10 league and are playing in games against Amherst, Moncton, Riverview and Shediac. There are 28 players on this co-ed team.
The next step up is U-12, followed up by U-14, and then U-18/16. All of these divisions have both boys’ and girls teams and play in the ESL against a number of teams in Kent and Westmorland Counties. More than 125 youths are signed up in this division.
Ouelette said he is always impressed every year with the strong base of volunteers that come out to support the soccer program.
“It’s pretty impressive how the program runs; it’s all volunteer-driven and we have a strong base of people who come out year after year to help.”
