Minor Soccer is back up and running and players, coaches, and parents are happy to be back out on the pitch.
Drumheller Minor Soccer president Scott Duggan said the numbers are bouncing back.
‘We are only a couple of numbers shy of where we were pre-COVID. It is surprising to see the number of kids out there considering what has gone on over the last couple of years,” he said.
Duggan explained the numbers are particularly strong at the younger end of the picture. The club is fielding a U13 mixed travel team that competes with surrounding communities. The younger levels are in house leagues where they can learn skills and have fun.
“We would have had more travel teams if our district had more travel teams. Unfortunately, the rest of the other towns aren’t seeing quite as high numbers as we are,” said Duggan. “It is hard, we would have had to have travelled further to get more games for our travel teams, that’s why we judged against doing that with younger groups.”
There is an age 10-13 house league with about 20 kids signed up.
There are also about 40 players between 6 and 10 playing in a house league.
“We run a mixed batch in that one with five teams. We face them against each other and mix the age groups and try to even it out and make it fair,” he said .
There are about 30 signed up for U5 who practice and scrimmage.
“Our head Coach Brad LeDrew has done a stellar job setting up our house league. Without him, I don’t think we’d be where we are,” said Duggan. “We have had a couple coaches step up to the plate this year. With what LeDrew has done in streaming our program it has made it a lot easier for parents to step in and become coaches.”
He is happy to see the participation coming back.
“Youth soccer is still one of the highest enrolled sports in Canada,” said Duggan. “What the men and women are doing at the national level is phenomenal, and it’s only going to help soccer in Canada, especially at the youth level.”
Those still wanting to get involved can look up Drumheller Minor Soccer on Facebook or contact Duggan at 403-321-0951.
