The Redvers Soccer Club is finally starting games after a rough season. They have remained hopeful as they鈥檝e pushed through everything and are excited to be moving forward towards a better season next year.
The club was fortunately able to have a season this year, unlike last year. However, they did have a rough start. Because of COVID-19 regulations, they found it hard to get coaches, and ended up with less registered players than usual. In total, they had about 51 kids registered, which is less than half of what they would get in a normal season.
Another change that was unexpected was games being allowed again as part of the Saskatchewan government鈥檚 reopening plan. Ana Gray, the secretary for Redvers Soccer Club, explained that this was a surprise, because at the beginning of the season they didn鈥檛 think games would be happening, and they had told people accordingly.
It was only halfway through the season that they were informed that games with other teams would be allowed.
Overall, Gray explained that one of the greatest lessons the club has had to learn this season is adaptability. In fact, one of the biggest challenges for organizers within the club was writing a Return to Play Plan for the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and other documents for the season, which included various scenarios on how things might go this season. Flexibility became vital to the club making it through this season.
Parents and players also adapted to changes as well. Parents of U9 and up players weren鈥檛 allowed to go onto the field during May, which was an adjustment from other years. Gray explained, 鈥淎s parents, we love to watch our kids 鈥� and we couldn鈥檛.鈥�
However, for the younger teams, the parents were actually asked to be on the field so that they could do one on one training with the kids since they were part of the same household. Overall, there were many changes, but the club got through them and were able to practice despite everything.
The club is still planning on running until June 24, and they have already played some games since restrictions were changed. Also, before the season ends, they are looking forward to playing against Carlyle鈥檚 team. On June 22, Carlyle is coming to Redvers, and on June 24, Redvers is going to Carlyle.
Ana Gray explained that this season taught the club to learn to do things in a more flexible way, but the hope is that the club will grow to full capacity.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to get the players back 鈥� I guess the intent of running a season this year was to sort of keep the momentum going 鈥� And so, our hope is that next year with the pandemic behind us that we will get over the hundred players again, and鈥have] a more normal season, a season that鈥檚 easier to plan.鈥�
