Radville -
Youth soccer is back for its 6th year in Radville. With 119 participants, from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12, ten teams have been formed. This year's season runs from September 10th to October 22nd on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The season was started off with a soccer clinic that was led by the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and sponsored by the Southeast Connection. These clinics are always a good way to start the season off. It reinforces what the kids have learned in the past and provides them with new skills to practice in the upcoming season.
The teams that are formed are mixed, with both boys and girls on the same team, at all the age levels. The coaches, as well as helping the kids learn the fundamentals, are also on the field "reffing", keeping an eye out for fouls and keeping the game safe.
The games are played and completed in one hour. There are two 25 minute halves and a 10 minute halftime break. A mini soccer style is used, with approximately six players per team playing at one time. The Fair Play Rule is in effect throughout the entire game and each player receives equal opportunity to participate.
There are 4 teams from Pre-K to Grade 2 and are coached by: Courtney Bolton; Makayla McDonald; Alicia Willoughby and Angelea Kolenz; and Cara Thompson, with assistant Lisa Lewgood.
In the Grade 3 to 6 age group there were also 4 teams formed and the volunteer coaches for these groups are: Selina Gust and Kaitlyn Telenga with assistant Dawn Ricard; Patti Bert and assistant Becky Stadnick; Christian Harder and Bridget Harder; and Candida Holzer.
The two high school teams are being coached and managed by Teri Field.
A big "Thank You" needs to go out to those who volunteer their time to make programs like these work. The recreation department, parents and participants would like to thank all the coaches, Deanna and Jody Schmidt for the pre-game set-up, Shannon Bourassa for developing the season schedule, Darrell Perras, Lorrie Bolton and Stephanie Jensen for marking the fields and both St. Olivier School and the RRHS for the use of the soccer fields.
If you have some spare time on a Monday or Thursday evening check out the soccer. It's a great program and provides the kids a chance to learn some new skills and get some great exercise!
