For the past two and half months, lakecity youth have been busy honing and crafting their soccer skills through the Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association’s indoor futsal season.
Now in its second full season, WLYSA technical director Oliver Hitch said the program saw a 150 per cent increase in registration, totalling 80 children of all ages this year.
“The kids are getting lots of touches and it’s a good way to burn some energy for the younger kids with all the movement involved,” Hitch said. “We work on lots of kicking, dribbling drills in a bit more controlled environment and it’s really good preparation for the upcoming outdoor season.”
The 10-week program, which wraps up at the beginning of spring break, houses players ranging from under six to under 16 at various schools throughout the city including Marie Sharpe elementary, Chilcotin Road elementary, Nesika elementary and Williams Lake secondary.
READ MORE: Local youth soccer association sees success with winter futsal season
Various divisions, meanwhile, are led by coaches Melkum Pitt, Basim Marhoon, Jeff Tyre, Jimmy Mason, Pepper Silvester and Dragon Jukic.
As for the upcoming WLYSA outdoor season, Hitch said registration numbers are looking on par with previous years, and said there’s still time to sign up before late registration kicks in on March 15.
For rep players, he noted this will be the first season players U13 and up will be able to register solely for rep soccer, as in previous years players have been required to play house, as well.
“We’d still like for them to play house but we understand how demanding the schedule to do both can be,” Hitch said.
The Cariboo Cup — for all of the WLYSA’s rep divisions — will be held Aug. 28-30.
“We’re hoping to start our outdoor season, ideally, the week of April 20, and the season will finish up June 20.”
For registration information and registration visit www.wlysa.com.
sports@wltribune.com
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