While soccer season in Barrie may look like it’s over, the Barrie Soccer Club feels differently and the play on the pitch is game on.
The BSC have announced that they have reached an agreement with the Barrie Sports Dome located at 99 Hanmer Street. The Barrie Sports Dome has many different sports and events in the building every week and soccer has been a big part of the schedule. The BSC had not been a part of that in-house program but will now help the dome in their facilitating of the beautiful game by providing coaching, education and technical direction to the youth programs and leagues. BSC technical director Mark Cristante is excited about expanding the club’s grassroots recreational players who do year round games and play in the summer house league.
“It is one thing that we will be able to play in the dome here but what we’re very excited about is being able to assist in the play that the dome has going already,” said Cristante. “We are going to help train coaches, scout players and help the dome in their managing of the leagues they have. It's such nice thing to put everything aside when it comes to who runs this and who runs that and just focus on the players and the game. We are very thankful that the folks at the dome see the vision we do as to growing the game of soccer in Barrie and Simcoe County.”
The news that the BSC will be expanding their role in the local community even in what is considered the off-season is likely troubling for any teams who may have to compete against what the biggest sports organization in the city. Success seems inevitable in the future but it’s the present that has the club excited. The current crop of players is seeing success now and in particular, the ladies’ side of the club as the U13 2005 Girls have qualified for the Ontario Cup Provincial finals.
“Last year our 2003 girls won the provincial championship and now we have a chance with the ‘05’s to make it two in a row,” said Cristante. “The vision we set forth just a few years back is already starting to come to fruition and everyone from top to bottom in this club is proud and cheering on all our squads.”
The Ontario Cup Finals take place this Saturday, September 15 at the Ontario Soccer Stadium located at 7601 Martin Grove Road in Vaughn. The Barrie girls will face the Caledon SC team at 12:30 p.m.
For any and all information about the Barrie Soccer Club and how to sign up to be a part of it, check their website.
