Joey Payeur
Coaches’
clinic set
All good things come to those who wait.
Such is the fate of Fort Frances and area under-12 and under-13 soccer players, who appeared ready to take part in the inaugural season of the Soccer Northwestern Ontario Developmental Youth League this summer.
But now they’ll have to wait until at least 2010 to take on their counterparts from across Northwestern Ontario.
That’s because the technical development committee, which was looking to put together the competitive league featuring teams from Fort Frances, Kenora, Dryden, and Thunder Bay, decided to postpone the inaugural campaign for a number of reasons.
“A successful inaugural season is necessary to ensure the longevity of the league,” Sarah Noonan, who still will co-coach an under-12 Fort Frances District team this year along with Rick Chambers, said in an e-mail sent to Fort Frances Youth Soccer board members.
“Official league constitutions have been drafted, but problems such as [a] lack of qualified referees in some communities and the amount of fees required to cover field usage, uniforms, travel costs, and equipment are some of the big issues that require further considerations.
“This decision was made based on a discussion involving the league president, technical committee members, and all district coaches,” Noonan added. “Seeing that the season is approaching so quickly, it was decided to postpone the [regional league] until next year. . . .
“I apologize to all players and parents who were looking forward to the u-12/u-13 competitive league,” Noonan said. “I am disappointed, as well. But based on the concerns raised, it is better that all details be finalized before time and money is invested into a new league.
“However, I have proposed the [regional] league to the Fort Frances Youth Soccer executive and they are interested in helping support this new initiative, hopefully creating a competitive division within FFYS,” she remarked.
Anyone interested in being a representative for Fort Frances on the league’s technical committee is asked to contact Noonan at snoonan@mail.rrdsb.com
In other soccer news, those who have signed up to be coaches for the FFYS this year are required to attend the annual coaches’ clinic coming up April 6-7 at 6 p.m. at St. Francis School.
Coaches do not have to attend both nights, and can choose the evening that works best for them.
At the clinic, they will be given their team lists and schedules, as well as a coaches’ package that includes drills which can be used for their respective squads.
There also is the possibility of extra time being allotted so some of the drills can be demonstrated for the coaches.
