Submitted
The 2010 outdoor soccer season was another success despite the weather slowing down start-up in the first two weeks of May.
Ponoka had more than 300 athletes from aged four to 45 years participating in house league and competitive play this year, with 17 house league teams, seven tier 4 youth teams, and an adult group.
The youth teams participated in tournaments in Millet and Camrose in June, with the U18 girls bringing home a bronze medal from Millet. All U12 to U18 teams represented Ponoka at the provincial qualifying tournament in Lacombe June 18 to 20 with the results as follows: Ponoka’s U12 boys A and B teams finished fourth and third respectively; U12 girls came home with third place, U14 girls and U18 girls came out as Central Alberta Soccer champions and sent them off to compete in the provincial tournaments held July 9 to 11 at Edson and St. Albert; U14 girls captured the silver medal and U18 girls finished sixth.
League play standings saw the U14 girls winning the league championship, U12 girls receiving the silver medal, and the U12 boys A team making it to the semifinals. The adult team has enjoyed an undefeated season with one match remaining in this newly established league. This team is also headed to provincials as the CASA designate.
House league kids also played through unfavourable weather to get the most out of their schedules. The pitches were bustling from Monday to Thursday every week.
Many athletes participated in technical clinics offered in April and May.
Ponoka Soccer Association invites anyone who is interested in playing soccer to join the drop-in program, every Tuesday or Thursday evening at the Ponoka Composite High School fields with play starting at 7 p.m. weather permitting.