Soccer teams from across the Cariboo were in 100 Mile House on May 28 for their first 100 Mile House Soccer Association (OMHSA) tournament in over five years.
Thirteen teams from Quesnel, Williams Lake, Barriere, Kamloops and 100 Mile House played 17 games throughout the day. 100 Mile House had teams in the U9/10, U11/12, U13/14 divisions and played two games each.
Association president and U11/12 coach Elger Krahn said there was a lot of support from both the parents and kids in putting on the tournament.
“This is the first time we’ve hosted a tournament in I don’t know how long, five to seven years roughly,” he said. “You probably know the history, we were close to shutting down last year. We luckily had lots of good volunteers step up and be on the board. That’s just what makes this stuff happen, all our volunteers. It’s a lot of work, and a lot of preparation and stuff.”
Krahn said he was pleased with the turnout and said the kids did great.
“It’s definitely a learning curve for all these kids. I don’t think any of them have played rep before. And even for coaches too,” he said. “I’ve only ever played this level - I’ve never coached it so definitely a learning curve for everybody.”
Next year he hopes to get the soccer bug into everyone’s ear a little sooner as people are in hockey mode when soccer starts up.
“It’s hard to get the excitement for kids when they are so busy with hockey.”
100 Mile House only has three rep teams so far and the U18 boys are playing with Williams Lake this year. Krahn hopes there will be more interest next season.
Next year he hopes to have more coaches step up so he can get the rep program off the ground even before the house season is on, adding he anticipates the house season will be bigger too.
Soccer continues until the end of June with one more tournament in Williams Lake.
After the summer break, they play three more weekends in September.
READ MORE: Kicking things off for Quesnel youth soccer
READ MORE: Quesnel Youth Soccer Association hoping for strong spring season
fiona.grisswell@100milefreepress.net
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