Get those cleats on, Powell River, because women’s soccer is up and and on the ball again this year.
Although the women’s league took a break due to dwindling numbers last year, it is back with a new format that promises more playtime for members.
“We are going to start with a seven-a-side league,” said Kyrie Kaban, who is organizing the league for women 16 years and over. “It gets everybody on the field doing exercise.”
Playing sideways rather than crossways across the pitch allows more teams to play at once which makes for a more social experience, said Kaban. Additionally, two 25-minute, rather than 45-minute, halves means that the women’s league can share an evening time slot with the men’s league.
The switch to a seven-a-side format means we can have more teams,” said Kaban, who hopes enough women join to allow the league to form about five, seven-a-side teams.
“Historically, there has always been a men’s league and a women’s league that traditionally started when you were 16,” she said. While youth soccer is extensive in Powell River, high school girls don’t often come out to join women’s soccer once they age out of the youth league, she explained. However, that’s changing this year as several high school players will be joining the women’s league.
Nevertheless, Kaban encourages everyone who wants a fun social soccer game to come out and play. She said that, although teams will be structured for a balance of experienced and newer players, friends can request to play with friends.
“After high school, girls can drift away from sports, they go to [university], start careers and families,” said Marina Patenaude, who will be joining the league this year. “This is just for fun so we can all get together and play the game we love.”
The women’s league will play Wednesday evenings on the lower pitch at Brooks Secondary School. For more information readers can email Kaban at at [email protected] or check out the league Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/858397074247913.
