The soccer season is ramping up and the Hazelton Youth Soccer Club is putting a call out for volunteers.
Volunteer Coordinator, Tammy Baskin is hoping community members sign up soon.
“Last year we had around 146 kids registered so in order for it to run fluently we need 10 head coaches and 22 assistant coaches.”
Unfortunately at the moment, they don't have anyone signed on to help but Baskin assumes some of the coaches from last year will step forward again this season.
“Volunteers can be older teenagers that have leadership skills and are familiar with the sport, whether they play or spectate or just simply enjoy it. Adults, parents or people who have coached before or there are people who are well versed in the sport that have come out before. We are also looking for referees, you can never have too many of those.
“We've never said no to a child before in the past but this year we are really working towards a set number, 15 or 16 kids per team. Otherwise you have 28 kids running around on the field with one coach and one assistant, it gets a bit ridiculous. So we are trying to avoid that and have a more structured program but in order to do that we need volunteers.”
Baskin said the club is extremely important to youth in the area and she would hate to turn down anyone because of the lack of volunteers.
“The rates are cheaper, we are not affiliated with B.C. Soccer, so our rates are considerably cheaper. It allows kids to play the game. It's just fun, its recreation. What we envision this year is a limit to the rosters with one coach and two assistants per team. That is our goal.”
The club will be running a coaching clinic at the end of the April and need volunteers to sign up two weeks in advance. The soccer season begins early May. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Baskin at 250-842-4133 or Pansy Wright Simms at 250-842-5062 as soon as possible.