Osoyoos girls in white jerseys mixed it up in minor soccer action on the weekend. From left are Amber Wyse, Sydney Hanson and Jordan Brunner. The Pinnacles Football Club held its annual spring Ice Breaker Soccer Tournament with most games played at Desert Park in Osoyoos.
The local minor soccer season is officially underway.
Teams within Pinnacles Football Club (PFC), the umbrella organization that governs youth soccer in the South Okanagan, took to the pitch this past weekend to participate in the annual spring Ice Breaker Soccer Tournament.
A majority of the games were played at Desert Park in Osoyoos, with a few games being staged at Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver.
It was a great opportunity for coaches and players in both Oliver and Osoyoos to get in some game time in preparation for the start of league play.
“The season is looking great. Our numbers are up from last year, and continuing to go up,” said Jill Price, who co-ordinates both the youth and mini soccer programs in Osoyoos. “Here in Osoyoos, we have approximately 100 mini kids and 75 youth players.”
While Price co-ordinates off the field activities, husband Justin Price works as the Osoyoos association’s head coach and oversees the development side of things.
“Our philosophy for ideal long term youth player development is to play possessive attacking football,” he said. “Possessive meaning we like to keep the ball in the attack. Attacking meaning we like to penetrate when we see the right opportunity. This style of play takes time, patience and skill to develop. However, this style will set up our players at all levels to reach their goals in football while enjoying themselves. While playing this style on the field we will continue to strive to create a program that fosters a place for every player based on their goals.”
That’s the philosophy from a team aspect.
In terms of player development individually, Justin works with players and coaches to help improve skill level.
“Each player will be well rounded in regards to their physical, technical and physiological abilities on the field,” he said. “All players ideally need to be able to play all positions, as it helps them to understand the game better while being taught a balance of attack and defence.”
The teaching of young soccer players continues before and after games are played, said Jill.
“Off field, we will teach all of our players to be polite and respectful while being tough and aggressive,” she said. “All players are expected to be in good standing at school.”
With all Osoyoos soccer teams in action last weekend, coaches had the chance to work out the kinks with any new players on the team.
“The boys on this team have just moved up from the lower age group, so this was the first time that they have all played together,” said U-11 Osoyoos boys head coach Dave Parsons. “Myself and my assistant coach Harry Sandhu will have to work with them on their skills for the league that we will playing in up and down the valley. The tournament itself went very well and the boys and girls had fun and that is the main thing.”
Parsons’ team will play eight-on-eight when the season begins April 11. All games will be played at Desert Park on Saturdays.
For U-11/12 girls head coach Steve Wyse, it was an opportunity to work some of his new players into the system.
“This year’s opening Ice Breaker Tournament was a great start to what will be another fantastic season of soccer,” said Wyse. “The team of 13 girls, consisting of returning players and new players gelled quickly. They played a tight defensive game, with a determined counter attack, that was difficult to defend against.”
The Osoyoos U-11/12 girls had a successful tournament, with two wins, a loss and a tie. The Mini program kicks off April 9 in Osoyoos. For more information, contact Justin or Jill Price at [email protected].
DALE CORY
Special to the Times
The Osoyoos U-11 boys team (white shirts) took on the Oliver team this past Saturday afternoon in the annual Osoyoos Ice Breaker Soccer Tournament at the Desert Park soccer fields in Osoyoos. Above, Harjinder Sandhu attempts to dribble through defenders, while being chased by Carter Czabany. The regular season for all Pinnacles Football Club minor teams begins next week. (Dale Cory photo)
