Although the soccer fields in Iroquois are knee deep in snow, plans for this year’s Seaway Kickers Soccer program are well underway.
The first of two registrations for the Kickers program, with hopes this year to offer boys and girls teams in three age categories (U-13, U-16, U-18 ), is set for Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Iroquois Civic Centre.
Kickers president Phillip Blancher, says the organization “needs a bit more attention, to attract more players and volunteers.”
Last year 70 players played on four teams from U-13 to U-16.
In addition to attracting more players, Kickers is looking for at least one volunteer to serve as Head Referee on the board, several coaches (volunteer positions), at least four referees (paid positions) and volunteers to help with field maintenance (mowing-18 plus years and not a student, and lining fields).
This year’s registration is $140 per player ages U-13 to U18. The fee has been set to reflect the increase of Soccer Association fees and the elimination of the Kickers association providing players’ shorts and socks from the fee.
The purchase of sweaters, socks and shorts will now be the responsibility of each players and arrangements have been made with Sports Fix in Morrisburg for ordering.
New this year is an affiliate membership which is available for $75 per player born in 2005.
The affiliate membership will allow the younger players (who are enrolled in the Saturday soccer program) to practise with the U-13 Kickers team(s).
“This is a chance for them to learn the drills and gets their skill levels up,” explains Blancher. “There is no guarantee of playtime, but if players are needed for a game they can be called up. This will allow them to try it out and see if they are ready or want to play the more competitive Kickers soccer with the longer games.”
Blancher says the Kickers organization tries to have a minimum of 14 players per team. “That way if some of the kids have to work or if families are away, we are still able to field a enough players for a game.”
The Kickers League play involves travel to Ottawa and teams generally have one practice and one game per week. Home games are played on the same night each week and home and away games generally alternate on a weekly basis.
There are two special one day league events, one a festival at the end of June and the other a finale at the end of August.
Blancher points out that “we make sure everyone can play who wants to play.”
If there are financial considerations for any player, the Kickers Association is partnered with Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart and Upper Canada School Board’s Champions for Kids, for individual financial assistance.
“So if there are kids with needs, families can contact us privately.”
In addition to increasing the player numbers, Seaway Kickers Soccer is in need of referees and coaches
While the coaching positions are volunteers, referees are paid and Blancher says, it adds up to “a nice little chunk of pocket change.”
Referees must be a minimum of 14 years old and must complete a referees course. Once the course is completed and he/she has refereed three games, the Kickers organization reimburses the cost of the course. Two day referee courses are held on a weekend in Ottawa. Re-certification is done on the computer and the Kickers also cover the cost of re-certification after three games.
“This is a provincial certification program, and we have had referees who continue to referee while at college to earn extra money.”
Blancher says the Kickers are in need of about four referees who must be 14 years and up to referee U-13 games and 16 and up to referee U-16 games.
With the hopes of fielding six teams, the Kickers are looking for a total of 12 coaches and coaches clinics are available through the Saturday soccer program.
The Kickers executive includes Blancher, Joanne Backes who is registrar/head coach and Donna Byvelds who is treasurer.
The open position is that of Head Referee to replace Lila Lapier who has stepped aside. The position mainly deals with scheduling.
“It would also be nice to have one or two other volunteers come on the board to provide extra help and to learn the ropes. The board structure is pretty easy going. I think we only met once last summer.”
The final need is for volunteers to help with field maintenance, both mowing and lining the fields. Mowing volunteers must be 18 plus years and can not be a student. Mowing requirements are from time to time needed in addition to that provided by the school board and the Township of South Dundas.
High school volunteer hours are available for most of the volunteer positions in the program.
Anyone who is interested in refereeing or in any of the volunteer positions is invited to call Phillip Blancher at 613-543-2168 or email him at phillip@blancher.ca for information.
Parents and players will also be given the opportunity to indicate their availability and volunteer interests on the registration forms.
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