The Sunshine Coast Women’s Soccer League is looking for dedicated players to fill out their rosters.
Though the 29-year-old league’s four teams have 25 to 30 members each, they’re struggling when it comes to players showing up for games.
So, the league is hosting three drop-in practices in January – the first was Jan. 11, the next two will be Jan 18 and 25 – at Kinnickinnick Field in Sechelt to entice new players. The practices start at 7 p.m. and will include a warm up, a few skill-building drills, and a no-contact scrimmage. Bring shin pads, cleats and be ready to sign a waiver at the field, says a league press release.
The recreational league is open to players 18 and older of all abilities, and plays Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, with a time commitment of about two hours per game (two 45 minute halves, plus warm up).
A few years back, there were about eight teams in the league, said Nicole Steward of the Source team. When she joined in 2018, there were five teams but one of them folded during the pandemic.
Now, one of the remaining four teams is in danger of folding.
In a game that requires 11 people on the field, there’s quite regularly only 12 people showing up, says Steward. “With only one sub, it’s not a lot of fun to play.”
“These teams have become our families over the years,” says Olivia Smith, captain of UnHinged, in the press release. “It would be devastating to fold the team due to lack of dedicated players.”
“It’s a great way to get exercise,” says Steward. “You build a community around your team, the people that you play soccer with week in and week out.”
While it’s a fun league, it is competitive, says Steward. “The teams want to win.”
Players interested in the league can attend one of the drop-ins or visit scwsl.ca and fill in the contact form.
