Soccer a popular activity with Summer Games on horizon

First published in the Lethbridge Herald Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

House and competitive leagues. Indoor and outdoor. Women’s, Christian, and Oldtimer’s leagues. College and university. Academies and camps. Futsal. Soccability. Lethbridge has a wide range of soccer programs for all ages and abilities.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Canada in terms of participation rate. 2.7 million people of all ages play soccer. 1,450 clubs offer programs across the country.

Nationally, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Toronto FC, and the Montreal Impact compete in Major League Soccer. The league, founded in 1993, is a legacy of the United States’ successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Founded in 2019, the Canadian Premier League has seven teams including the Calgary-based Cavalry FC. Two former Lethbridge players, Captain and midfielder Nik Ledgerwood and forward Nico Pasquotti, are both contributing to what is turning out to be a stellar inaugural season.

The Lethbridge Soccer Association is one of the largest sport organizations in Lethbridge with close to 2000 members. Programs start as young as U4 outdoor, U5 indoor, and U9 competitive, up to U19 programs at all levels.

Volunteer coaches run all the programs. A volunteer board and an executive director manages the Lethbridge Soccer Association and the day-to-day operations of the Servus Sports Centre, constructed in 1997.

Soccer is popular with parents because of its relative low cost. Costing an average of $675 per child. “I play soccer because it is fun and I like how my team is super positive,” said a six-year-old soccer player.

All ages and abilities can play soccer. Soccability is an inclusive soccer program for ages 4 to 14 for all ability levels. Soccability focuses on learning to play soccer while having fun, being active with friends and being challenged learning new skills.

The 2020 Alberta Summer Games will host boys and girls U13 soccer competition at the Lethbridge Sports Park in North Lethbridge.

If you are interested in getting involved or learning more about the Lethbridge Soccer Association and other community soccer programs, visit our online Sport Directory or contact the Servus Sports centre at 403-320-5425.

Throughout the year, Lethbridge Sport Council will publish articles about each of the 14 sports included in the 2020 Alberta Summer Games highlighting local programs, people, and places.

For more local sport information visit www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca