Outdoor Soccer Kicks Off

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

The Vegreville Minor Soccer Association’s Outdoor Season got underway the first week of May!

Registrar and Communications Director Shelley Berry said they have 272 players, and all the clubs’ numbers are down a bit this year, but only by about 20 players, though. Their U17 girls are combined with St. Paul this year, and their U19 girls are joined with St. Paul and Vermilion; their U17 boys are united with St. Paul.

On what is new and exciting, Berry replied, “This is our first season we will be having 'in-season training' by Revolution Soccer from Ontario. The Coach, Max Graham will be working with U5-U11 this season on May 18. This will last for four weeks.  VMSA is excited to bring professional training into our club, and the players, coaches, and parents are excited as well.  Max will be doing a summer soccer camp as well in the later summer months, which was a huge success last summer.  This was the first game for U15 girls, which I attended. They did very well, and we were super proud of them.”  

VMSA’s focus this year is on a mentorship program for referees.  “Some of our experienced ARs (Assistant Referees) are doing their first centers this year with a mentor assessing them. Being in the centre - you referee the entire game (call fouls, stops and starts, call either goal kicks or corner kicks, penalty shots, and more) there’s a lot to pay attention to, and need to watch your ARs to see if they call offsides.

Our other focus is the “in-season training.  Both of these programs will be beneficial for our referees and for our players. 

Head Coach Rachel McTavish shared that Vegreville U15 Girls soccer team kicked off their league season on May 6 at the home game at RJV Soccer Park,” Berry added.  

“They had a hard-fought 4-4 tie against St. Paul. The girls played a phenomenal game, showing great teamwork and determination, especially impressive for their first match of the season.”