Fifty years of soccer in the city, and in a World Cup Year at that, means a big season for the Beautiful Game in Barrie.
Registration is now open for the Barrie Soccer Club’s (BSC) 50th anniversary with many age groups still able to take additions. The club has about 2,000 participants that range in age from four years old to adults, where there is a senior men’s league. There are all types of levels, from recreation to development (9 to 12) to competitive (13 to 19). Technical director Mark Cristante hasn’t been around for the whole 50 years of the BSC, but joined in the fall of 2014 and sees significant changes in the club since coming aboard.
“I really feel that there has been a great advancement in what we do here in the last few years and that’s not just me but has a lot to do with the staff, volunteers and family who strongly believe in what we are doing,” said Cristante. “I started fully in 2015 and took some time to put in place what I felt was needed and now I think we are really doing well by the players.”
While the club is looking at putting together some events to celebrate the Golden Jubilee year, such as an appreciation night for volunteers and those who have put in so much time to the club, it is also a regular work season for the coaches. An example of the hard work being put in by the club is the Under-12 Development Program that goes from November to August and runs three times a week. That program is one of many being run last night by the BSC throughout the city and sees many dedicated and educated coaches who follow a club-wide curriculum. Cristante believes that a kid’s learning is dependent on the coach who teaches and that as the player develops, so should the lessons.
“We have development coaches and senior coaches like myself that come around to help out,” said Cristante. “So it’s not just the players who are learning but we are mentoring the next wave of coaches as well. It’s like building a house; at the early stages you lay the foundation and eventually as the house is completed it has everything it needs to stand strong. Coaches from higher age-levels need to be in tune with the players who are coming to them and should be prepared to continue the education with the little bit extra that is now needed.”
If turning 50 wasn’t reason enough to have a rush of registrars, the fact that the World Cup begins in June has really got people excited to hit the pitch. Cristante says that he has definitely seen more people signing up sooner than usual and does attribute some of that to the biggest sports event in the world taking place this summer.
“I think it comes down from the parents and bringing their culture or just being a fan to their kids,” said Cristante. “Usually we’re really busy in mid-March and early April, but we’ve seen the numbers since January. I think also the success of Toronto FC has a huge impact on soccer registration, possibly all over Canada.”
Cristante admits that Barrie has long been a hockey town but sees many people wanting to try something new and affordable which leads them to soccer. Cristante knows as well that once families give the club a shot, they could very well be hooked for so many reasons.
“Barrie Soccer has a great tradition and has seen many people from here that have gone on to play for national squads and professional teams,” said Cristante. “But it’s also about the people in the community who give tirelessly to make the club what it is. We all love the game of soccer and we love the city which adds to the family feel of the club. It is about learning life skills and when you think of 50 years, that’s a lot of kids who have been exercising and being social in meeting new friends.”
The BSC is happy to announce that on top of all the great kids programs available, there is a new men’s recreational league starting up on May 13. The new league will play on Sunday nights with approximately eight teams competing, and registration is sure to fill fast but is open as is all information needed to get involved with the club. The early bird fee goes until the end of March and will increase after that.
Check out the Barrie Soccer Club here for any and all info.
