Soccer is a growing sport in Canada. For someone like me, coming from a country where the sport is almost part of the culture, this couldn’t be a more encouraging thing to say.

A good reason why that is the case is because soccer is a fun, easy and relatively inexpensive sport for the value of play and learning the program is now geared toward.

As a Regional Head Coach for Pinnacles Football Club (FC) first in Oliver and now Osoyoos, I get great pleasure watching young players develop in the game – from gingerly kicking the ball for the first time to that glorious first goal.

The most important part of that process is creating programs that foster success in our players, no matter what level they start at.

It should also have the depth and quality to equip young players with the knowledge, team skills and confidence to do well both on and off the field.

This is a process that starts at our youngest level and should remain consistent throughout, inspiring players and parents to grow in their involvement and enjoyment of the great game.

Spring 2016 will see a number of changes focused on providing just that. Players in the U9/10 (born 2006-2007) division will enjoy the benefits of league play, the lessons learned from last year’s co-operative U7/8 (Born 2008-2009) games with Oliver will be applied to grow that activity – with a greater frequency and longer playing time.

Players in the U5/6 (Born 2010-2011) division will see more direction and communication.

Club director Ezra Cremers and myself will be working directly with the Mini Program in technical sessions to build that confidence and lay the groundwork for year-round soccer programs in Osoyoos.

What I really need to make all of this and more happen is a great team of volunteer coaches who can work closely with me as I apply my dedication, knowledge, training and skills to help breathe life back into this program.

I would love to hear from anyone who is interested at [email protected].

We have such great potential here in Osoyoos to make some real magic happen with this sport.

I’m extremely excited to see that potential start to be realised this spring season.

Matthew Wood is the Pinnacles FC Regional Head Coach for Oliver and Osoyoos

MATTHEW WOOD

Special to the Times