The theme this year will be mastering ‘bus legs’ syndrome.
That’s the task set before the Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA) under-15 boys’ rep squad.
Coach Gordon Armstrong, spoke about the huge amount of travel they will have to complete this year.
“We will be competing a lot in the region, which is now from 100 Mile House north, so it’s pretty big. This year we will be travelling a fair bit, but we will try to do it more within the region,” Armstrong said last week.
As well, the coach has big expectations for his crop of 2016 players.
“We are trying to host a lot more games here, but we will also be heading down to Nelson in the middle of May. I expect the boys to win zones this year and to compete at provincials, so our goal is to play in provincials. Last year we were third in our zone. We have a good group of kids, they all get along really well. Right now, we have 18 on the roster, after tryouts. We expect them all to be here for training and games.”
Having a core group of 18 players, is imperative to having any chance of success. If the bodies don’t come out to training and then can’t take part in the games, it’s even harder to reach the goal.
However, if attendance is good, and the athletes are focused, a lot can be achieved in a short season. The team looks to be stout defensively, which is interesting as they play a 4-3-3 (attackers-midfielders-defence) position strategy, which is an attacking formation. There are definitely a few stand-outs, skill-wise on the team, that could be developed to go on and play a higher level. Having fun is paramount, but having fun on a successful team, creates the opportunity to play on a platform to get players noticed at provincials. This comes through positive results: which means creating chances, keeping the shape, being resilient, and winning games. The team’s first game is against Terrace on April 30 in Prince Rupert.
The Charles Hays (CHSS) Rainmakers also travelled to Terrace on the weekend but couldn’t muster a victory against a tough home side, having only five subs.
A number of injuries, including multiple shin splints created obstacles for the team, who fell 9-2 against Caledonia Secondary and 8-0 against Smithers Secondary. CHSS’ Charlotte Kobza and Charlotte Delaney scored in Game One.