Spring is finally here and with it, soccer season.
The Bulkley Valley Soccer Society recently wrapped up their registration period and are now preparing the logistics of the coming season.
The BVSS board has a new president, with Colin Bateman taking over from Ruth Mintz.
Bateman moves over from his role as coach, which he has undertaken for the past five years.
Helping him are board members Suzanne Rourke, Janna Delany, Julie Monn-Djasnger, Bev Stevenson, Anotella Scott, Jackie Lester and Brenda Hanchard.
“This board is just coming in, so we are just trying to find our roots and get everything set up for the coming season,” Bateman said.
“I stepped in not knowing what this is all about, and if there is a message I can put out there, it’s that the people on this board do such an amazing job.
“They know what needs to be done and they are making it easier because they are so involved.”
Currently, the board is working on finalizing team lists, securing coaches, booking field times and organizing volunteers and referees for the coming season.
New this year, the BVSS will feature a U6 team for younger players, hoping to get a start in the sport. The new age-group was started to prevent young players from having to go up against seven- and eight-year-olds in the youngest division.
“I think parents with five- and six-year-olds were worried about the idea of an eight-year-old firing the ball at them,” Bateman said.
“So this makes it safer for the younger kids.”
The U6s will focus less on game play and more on having fun and learning the basics.
“It’s really good to get them in at a young age and allow them to focus on the fun aspects of soccer. We just get them to kick the ball around and enjoy themselves.”
As players move up the ladder the BVSS begins to focus more on individual player development and tactics.
This year there will be U8, U12, U14 and U18 squads.
Teams will practice twice a week and play against other teams from Smithers twice a week.
They’ll also hold tournament days to compete against teams from Telkwa, Houston and Hazelton.
Players looking for more practice and game time can join a selects’ team.
“The select teams are for the kids that really want to play a lot,” Bateman said.
“They do a lot more work on the tactical side of things.”
In the future, Bateman is hoping to extend the season beyond the six-weeks it currently occupies between early May and late June.
That may include going through the summer for some kids, or starting up again in the fall.
“I know it’s been successful in other communities and eventually we would like to develop some things that go all year round.
“If kids want to play soccer year round then we would like to expand in the winter.
“Obviously we have a great hockey program, which is a conflict for some kids, but it would be nice to have that option.”
Looking further into the future, Bateman would like to see Smithers and the north become a hotbed of soccer activity.
“We have the ability to do something similar in northern B.C., where we could bring in lots of other teams and host tournaments for other cities and towns.”
To do that, though, Bateman says the field conditions will have to improve.
“We can’t have people twisting ankles, jumping in potholes,” Bateman said. “But we do have a plan of action with the town and as soon as this season is wrapped up we are going to start working on that.”
Play will begin sometime in early-to mid-May, once the fields are in good enough condition and the Town has lifted the ban on usage.