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Ponoka Soccer honing young players’ skills

Warm weather has teams with the Ponoka Minor Soccer Association getting out into the field and practicing drills.
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Players with the U16 girls Ponoka Storm soccer team practice drills Wednesday

Warm weather has teams with the Ponoka Minor Soccer Association getting out into the field and practicing drills.

While numbers are slightly down from last year, Ponoka Soccer has seen growth in the U6 and U8 players, says president Rob McArthur. “We have more girls in U18 than we do boys.”

The U6 teams have also seen so much interest that Ponoka Soccer has, for a first time ever, a boys and girls league. There are six U6 boys teams and four U6 girls teams, explained McArthur.

He said the Central Alberta Soccer Association approved the decision and will follow developments closely to see how the program does. “We’re hoping it pays dividends in the future.”

McArthur said if younger player development is strong, players may stay the course of minor soccer. “We win the battle of attrition at U6 and U8.”

Ponoka Soccer’s goal is to develop players’ skills and to provide positive programming.

As for the new grass on the soccer pitches north of the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, McArthur says they are eagerly anticipating its use but want to see strong grass.

Ponoka Soccer has been working closely with Norm Morrow, with the town parks and recreation, to ensure it is healthy before first use. McArthur said they needed two long cuts before the grass can be cut short as a soccer pitch.