Over 400 Powell River Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA) players recently filled the fields at Sunset Park to mark the end of another season of house soccer.
All of the divisions played mini tournaments and then enjoyed refreshments and awards. In the mini soccer divisions, U10 and younger, all participants were rewarded for their efforts with keeper trophies.
The U11 and older divisions gathered at Dwight Hall after their games for the traditional year-end award presentations. All players in the U11 to U12 girls’ and the U11 to U13 boys’ divisions received pennants. In the senior division coaches selected five players from their teams to be presented with pennants for their outstanding achievements. They were most sportsmanlike, most valuable, most dedicated, most improved and most coachable.
PRYSA also recognized three long-serving members of their executive, Bill Grantham, Alex Young Jr. and Mary Hicks, who will be stepping down from the executive this year, with plaques thanking them for their dedication to the youth of our community.
The major perennial awards were then awarded.
Austyn Hollingsworth was awarded the Harry Kersey memorial as top youth referee. The Robert Issighos memorial, which is presented to the top all round U13 male, was won by Wesley Ferreira. The award was presented by Stephen Cantryn who was Issighos’ best friend and who initiated the award upon Issighos’ death some years ago.
The Albert Moore award for the top all round U13 female was awarded to Katie Tuba. Jordan Mitchell presented the Terry Mitchell memorial award on behalf of his late uncle, for the top goalkeeper. The award was shared by Nicole Verdiel and Drew Murray. Hannah Gray was the recipient of the Bea Ferguson memorial as the top all round senior female. The Mark Rickson memorial for top all round male was won by Brody Harry.
The executive award is presented to the top male team and this year’s winner was White Lightning coached by Doug Carter. The James MacDougal memorial was presented to this year’s female team of the year, the Cobras who are defending provincial cup champions. The coaching staff of the Cobras, Greg Mayenburg, Richard Abbott and Paul Liknes, were recognized as coaches of the year and were presented with the Gordon Creamer Memorial Award. Brenda Crilly presented the last award of the day in honour of her late uncle, Mike Crilly. This award is presented to a volunteer who has shown long-term dedication to youth soccer in Powell River and Bill Grantham was a very deserving recipient.
Emcee Mike Verdiel wrapped up the event reminding everyone that PRYSA is run by volunteers and with three executive members stepping down it is imperative that others step forward. If anyone is interested in helping or if there are any questions, readers can email Liknes at [email protected].
