Youth soccer season kicks off in Merritt
Hundreds of feet, both large and small, and clad in cleats of all sizes, will hit the turf this Saturday for the first weekend of Merritt Youth Soccer Association action.
As of Tuesday of this week, 425 youngsters, ranging in age from 3 - 18, have signed up to take part on 32 separate teams in six different divisions of play says MYSA registrar Keri Cooke.
“It’s been a bit of a chaotic week as we try to sort out the numbers,” adds Cooke. “Even though we closed off registration a week ago, we’re still getting lots of inquiries.”
While total registrations to date are down a bit from last season’s record-breaking number of 501, Cooke is not at all concerned.
“I think that we grew so much and so quickly that we knew at some point we’d hit our ceiling. I think the 500-mark last year was that ceiling.”
MYSA president Barb Coates attributes some of the slight decline in enrolment figures to the association’s move to an online registration procedure.
“I think that might have thrown a few people off,” she states. “It’ll take a bit of getting used to.”
Coates is very excited about the fact that, for the first time, the MYSA has registered itself as an association with BC Soccer, the provincial body that oversees the sport in the province.
“We hope to tap into their expertise and resources in terms of player, coach and referee development. We want to give everyone as much support as possible,” Coates says.
The game venues this Saturday are the same as last year with the Timbits, K/1 and 2/3 divisions playing at Diamond Vale Elementary School and the 4/5, 6/7 and 8+ divisions competing at Coquihalla Middle School.
Individuals still hoping to register (if space allows) should contact Keri Cooke (378-8798) or go to the MYSA website:
info@merrittyouthsoccer.com
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