Despite a cool start to the season, soccer remains a hot ticket in the Flin Flon area.
Phantom Lake Soccer Club registration is strong again this year with nearly 400 children signing up.
Club president Tauvia Alexander said that boys and girls ages 5 to 18 have joined as the sport continues to thrive in the community.
Organized soccer is relatively new to the community, and Alexander explained that people who grew up in the area didn’t have the opportunity to learn the game.
“Soccer has been a challenge because many of our parents didn’t play the game as children,” she said.
That hasn’t impeded the sports’ popularity, however.
“We’ve had some key people come to our community who played the sport themselves and they are helping develop our young players,” Alexander said.
Now, with youth learning the sport and developing their skills as they grow up in the area, the learning opportunities are increasing for the next generation.
There are a number of reasons why soccer is popular in the community. Alexander cites the shorter season and low costs as being contributing factors.
“Soccer is an easy game to learn. It starts with the basics of running and kicking, which children already know how to do,” she said. “There are a lot of techniques that can be developed, but the basic skills are where it starts.”
Developing the basics is at the heart of the philosophy behind the Phantom Lake Soccer Club. The youngest players in the Squirt category are 5 and 6. Those ages 7 and 8 in Division 1 are given extra training to provide a good foundation in the sport.
“With our younger players, we help them develop the skills and learn the game rather than just throwing them on a field and into a game,” said Alexander.
The development strategy was brought in last year for the first time and worked well, she said.
As such, the model has continued this year and young players are being given the opportunity to learn how to control the ball and practice their skills prior to moving into a game situation.
As players develop and move up into higher levels, the games are modified to suit their needs.
The club offers a range of opportunities for all players, with leagues available for those who want to have fun playing in the community as well as for those who are more competitive and willing to travel.
Alexander said that this season the club includes seven travel teams for boys and girls. In addition, a number of local players are part of the two teams being formed for the Manitoba Games being held in Steinbach in August.
There are a number of exciting events planned locally for this soccer season as well.
The club was recently given the nod from Soccer Canada to host an Ombrelle Active Start Soccer Fest for the first time this year.
Geared for Squirts (ages 5 and 6), Division 1 (ages 7 and 8) and Division 2 (ages 9 and 10), the event will include a number of soccer-related activities, including skill competitions and fun games. The date for the mini soccer festival is yet to be determined.
Year-end tournaments for Division 2 and 4 players will take place in Flin Flon on Saturday, June 25 and for Divisions 3 and 5 on Sunday, June 26 as a fun way to conclude the season.
The club is also hosting two camps this year, including one under the umbrella of the Manitoba Soccer Association from July 11 to 15.
Geared for ages 4 to 18, the five-day camp will incorporate additional skill development with a focus on fun.
Flin Flon will also be hosting training staff from the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club for a camp July 27, 28 and 29.
“We are very excited to have the Whitecaps coming to coach our players,” Alexander said. “Having these high-quality athletes come to our community is a great opportunity.”
