Ponoka’s location and its many soccer pitches made for an ideal showcase for Alberta Soccer’s U13 players.
The association brought together players born in 2004 and 2005 from isolated districts to Ponoka, explained Shaun Lowther, Alberta Soccer Technical Director, in an email.
“In addition, Alberta Soccer technical staff were able to identify players of potential to possibly include in provincial teams,” he explained.
“Players, coaches and parents were also able to participate in multiple workshops with Alberta Soccer staff that focused on various topics to grow their knowledge of the game.”
Lowther said players, parents and coaches were vested in the event, putting in extra effort to do well and to learn more about the game.
Ponoka’s location and its soccer pitches make for an ideal location for a showcase such as this one.
“I thank CASA and Ponoka Soccer for going above and beyond. We could not have been any more pleased, other than perhaps the field needing some water to soften and green them up,” he offered.
A total of 170 players converged on Ponoka with about 300 families and friends coming to watch.
For Alberta soccer, it’s all about putting on quality events for the area districts, this U13 showcase being a prime example of that.
“Probably the most pressing right now is to figure out a way to create a competition structure that all of our districts and clubs at all levels of play can benefit from,” said Lowther.
By the sounds of it this will be an ongoing process while organizers fine-tune its processes.
For the long-term planning, Alberta Soccer wants to ensure kids have an opportunity to achieve their goals within the sport.
