Only two weeks remain in the 2016 soccer season in Canora.
The season will end on June 23 with a wind-up supper, presentations to players, a short fun game and activities with members of the Canora Fire Department at the splash park, said Candace Doogan, vice-president of Canora Minor Soccer.
A total of 83 youngsters aged three to 12 years registered to play with the organization this year, Doogan said. There are two teams each of Mini-mites, aged three to five years; Minis, six to eight years, and Majors, aged 9 to 12 years.
Elly Carlson, Crystal Reine and Brandi Zavislak coach the Mini-mites; Gracie Medvid, the Minis, and students Decan Cybak and Riley Kowalishyn, the Majors.
Working with Doogan on the soccer executive committee are: Tricia Bedore, president; Jocelyn Collingridge, secretary; Barry Hvidston, treasurer; Leona Kitchen, equipment manager, and Taunya Kondratoff, supplies manager.
“This year we’re concentrating on skills,” Doogan said, adding that the Canora teams belong to the Saskatchewan Soccer Association, but few other communities in the area also belong to the association and because of insurance requirements, the Canora teams cannot play against teams not affiliated with the association.
But SSA games can be played with teams in Yorkton and Springside, she said. “Our goal is to encourage other communities to associate with Saskatchewan Soccer.
The teams get together at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday.
On June 18, the teams will be getting together for Father’s Day games where players will play the adults; not only fathers, but uncles, grandfathers, mothers and aunts, she said. Starting at 2 p.m. at the soccer pitch, there will be several games and a barbecue fundraiser for the club.
The numbers of soccer players have grown, she said, estimating that about 30 of the players are new to Canora Minor Soccer.
“We want to get our numbers up, have other communities join Saskatchewan Soccer, and then our goal will be to travel for games,” Doogan said. “We want to get our skills up and go on from there.
The photo of the Purple Mini-mites Panthers was not available for publication. Members of the team, which is coached by Brandi Zavislak and Crystal Reine are: Claire Ruf, Hayley Kraynick, Mason Reine, Aidyn Trach, Brandyn Wolkowski, PJ Kruegar, Cruze Oswald, Knox Oswald, Abigail Wilson, Isabelle Kondratoff, Angel Sliva and Maddox Sawka.
