The University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer program rang in the new year by hosting hundreds of young soccer players at the Envision Athletic Centre last weekend.
It was the third year in a row that the Cascades and BC Soccer had joined forces to stage the BC Soccer Futsal Festival, and this year’s free-to-enter event drew 300 kids from the Fraser Valley and the Lower Mainland in the U9 to U12 age groups. The festival ran Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 2-3, and was preceded by a coaches’ workshop. UFV head coach Rob Giesbrecht’s entire roster was involved, taking on tasks ranging from coaching and reffing to working at the concession booth.
Lexi Gillette, an incoming player with the Cascades women’s soccer team, works on skills with a young player during last week’s futsal festival at UFV. (Peter Lonergan photo / BC Soccer)
Futsal, for the uninitiated, is a modified form of soccer, typically played indoors with five players per side.
“This is a great event for us to be involved in because I want my players to be role models and encourage young players,” Giesbrecht said. “And they did a great job of that.
“It’s good for us to get involved with the community, and it connects us to BC Soccer. We have an awesome relationship with them.”
Andrew Haines, BC Soccer’s grassroots development officer, said it was great working with the Cascades on a key development initiative.
“BC Soccer really appreciates all the support we receive from the players on the women’s soccer team,” he said. “It’s not an easy task introducing new techniques and game concepts to young and aspiring players, but the girls do such a good job!”
Cascades goalkeeper Emily Harold demonstrates a drill for participants at last weekend’s BC Soccer Futsal Festival. (Peter Lonergan photo / BC Soccer)
Comments are closed.