A new BC Soccer program has been put in place to ensure that young soccer players in northern British Columbia won’t have to move south to pursue elite playing opportunities.
The Northern BC Regional Soccer Training Program came into play in September, offering 24 hours of intense and demanding soccer training spread out over three weekends. It’s open to players born in 2001, 2000 and 1999 and takes place at Quesnel’s indoor soccer facility.
Participants come from Fort St. John, Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House which has seven players enrolled.
The local contingent includes Olivia and Sydni Poggenpohl who play for the 100 Mile 2000 Girls Rep team and were also involved in the BC Summer Games program this past summer; Ashley Holyk who plays for the 100 Mile 2000 Girls Rep team; Karlie Easton and Kira Saenger who both played for the 1998/99 Girls Rep team in 100 Mile House; Reid Davidson and Masen Fernandes who play rep soccer in Williams Lake with the 1999 boys.
Davidson, 13, has been playing soccer since about the age of five and it’s the number one sport of this athletic young man, who also plays house hockey in the winter.
He’s been enjoying the soccer camp and is certain it will make a difference in his game next year, and possibly his future.
“I’ve learned about moving up the field and passing, and where to pass. There’s been lots of new drills and harder more complex ones which I like better.”
He likes the strict coaching he’s experienced at the camp and the “no fooling around” policy.
“I think it’s a good thing. It saves time and I’m learning more.”
