As local team play has wound down, and with just a few regional teams still working toward provincial tournaments, Lac La Biche’s minor soccer officials say it was a really good outdoor season.
“The season was a resounding success,” said Glenda Bouvier the president of Lac La Biche FC following the recent wrap-up event for players and families.
A highlight of the event saw Tanner Davidson-Sykes and Chloe Gauthier-Schaub, both alumni from Lac La Biche FC who play for the Portage College Voyageurs soccer teams, receive the Lac La Biche FC Ambassador Awards. Awards. The awards are a relatively new addition to the local soccer scene.
“This was the second presentation of the award, and we look forward to awarding it for years to come,” Bouvier stated.
During the season, Bouvier said, the older players joined up with surrounding communities and found success while the younger players participated in tournaments and did a great job of representing the club.
U13-U19 players, she continued, joined Lakeland teams and participated in a number of tournaments and as well as the provincials, including the Camrose Night Classic, which she says is always a favourite.
Another popular event this season was held on home turf, with more than 500 youngsters from across the Lakeland taking part in the Lac La Biche Soccer Fest in early May.
“It not only provided an opportunity for our younger age groups to compete against teams, but it also provided an opportunity for coaches and match officials to get experience in a fun and relaxed atmosphere,” she said.
As for numbers for this season, Bouvier says close to 200 players signed up to play outdoor soccer. The numbers remained steady, she added, with the club’s youngest age groups continuing to grow.
Many young soccer players in Lac La Biche FB also play indoor soccer. That season gets underway near the end of October.
“We have a number of kids carry over into the indoor season each year,” she said. “Numbers are around 100 for indoor.”
