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Powell River Villa players stay on ball in upstart soccer league

Local footie squad keep in shape and look for new talent
seven aside socccer
POSSESSION BATTLE: Cullen Buholzer [left] fights for the ball with Kyle Vasser as Ben Gould looks on during a recent seven-a-side soccer match. Dave Brindle photo

Powell River men’s seven-a-side soccer league attracts current Powell River Villa soccer club members, players aspiring to suit up with Villa and others who should either be on the squad or just want to play some soccer.

New Villa coach Mario Paul has been seen at some of the Wednesday night games played at Brooks Secondary School’s soccer field.

“He’s the new coach, he’s going to come,” said Dean Thorsell, a Villa defender who started the seven-a-side league last year.

Thorsell said one reason he started the league was to have a senior men’s league going in the fall; it was tried last year and failed. Thorsell said he thinks there is now the makings of a four-team league, in part, through interest in seven-a-side.

“There’s interest to keep it going for another year,” he said. “Last year we did an eight-week season. This year we extended it to 11 weeks.”

League playoffs start on Wednesday, June 15, with semifinals on June 22 and the final on June 29.

“It’s competition, but it’s not super serious,” said Thorsell. “Each team should have 15 players, except they are usually short because some don’t show up every week.”

Players referee their own games, usually a Villa member who acts as a team captain and referee. “For the most part, everyone calls their own fouls and everything is pretty fair,” he said.

According to Thorsell, Paul is not the only one looking to fill the Villa roster with new talent. Current Villa players competing in seven-a-side are on the lookout as well.

Thorsell coaches Powell River Youth Soccer Association U15 and U16 teams. He said there are definitely some players who should be with Villa.

“To some people, I think coming out to Villa practices is a little daunting,” said Thorsell. “I always thought if we could get more guys out and more guys training and playing at a men’s level, then as Villa we could pull guys from the league and say, ‘Hey, we need an extra player here or, you’re more than good enough, come out and play with us.’”

For more information, search for Powell River Men’s 7-aside soccer on Facebook.