Moose Mountain Soccer began three years ago with parents looking for another activity for youth to take part in during the spring months.
Natalie Miller, one of the parent organizers who started the soccer club, explained it has grown immensely since that first year and is excited to say that this year is the first 12 and under team able to be fielded.
"It was hard to start with because we weren't able to build teams, but now we're starting to coach them all the way through," Miller explained. "Usually 12 and under is when they have to make a choice between soccer and baseball, and we're starting to get more youth to stick with soccer."
Overall Moose Mountain Soccer has a total of 102 players between the ages of two-years-old and 12-years-old within five different age groups, with numerous teams at varying age groups.
After three years of establishment Moose Mountain Soccer hosted a soccer tournament on Saturday, June 7, between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Teams from Redvers, Oxbow, and Wawota were invited to take part in the day. All age groups, but the four and under team took part in the day.
"We thought we'd host a tournament to give all the teams more games and include the under six players to play in a round robin, 'real game' scenario," Miller explained as the under six players make up four teams and usually play against each other.
"The kids love it, all they want is to play games, so we were happy to organize the day."
The under fours were the only group not playing during the day, but as Miller laughed the young group is still learning and "one ball just isn't enough."
Even without the under fours participating there were 16 teams in attendance.
The success of not only the day, but of the entire club comes with the volunteers who have given their time as coaches and organizers.
"One coach doesn't even have kids in the program, she coaches because she likes it," Miller said.
The volunteer coaches and organizers including Danielle Benjamin, Rianna French, Melissa Bowley, Kathy Tomaszewski, Shelly Sharp, Lindsay Brownridge, Nicole Gervais, and Natalie Miller who make up part of this success and growth over the past three years, but Miller also stated that the community and a number of local businesses have given a great amount of support to the club as well.
"The community and businesses are so willing to help out [from the town allowing them to use the field to businesses sponsoring and donating various soccer needs]," Miller said. "It lets us keep our fees down and that makes it more enjoyable for all."
As a way to continue encouraging soccer in the area Moose Mountain Soccer is bringing in a British Soccer Camp again this year. Last year saw numerous youth take part and it is open to anyone whether in a soccer club or simply interested in the sport.
"It's open to anyone from anywhere," Miller stated. "The coaches come from England and we did it last year, the kids had so much fun."
For more information Miller invites people to visit their new website: moosemountainsoccer.ca.
