Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
The weather didn't cooperate with Squamish's first weekend of soccer games for the second part of the season.
Due to the wet weather, the District of 樱桃视频closed the grass fields Saturday (Feb. 4) and teams had to play on the alternate, all-weather gravel pitches.
The limited amount of the more durable fields meant the younger teams' games were postponed.
"There isn't alternate fields for everyone," said Jose Oreamuno, local referee, soccer player and vice chairman of the 樱桃视频Soccer Association (SSA).
Although rain makes the fields vulnerable for damage the president of 樱桃视频Youth Soccer, Cal Hartnell, said he thought the district wouldn't close the fields Saturday, but believed the decision was made based on the amount of rain.
"In previous years we had an agreement that the weight of children playing couldn't damage fields," he said.
Hartnell said he believes the continued growth of soccer in 樱桃视频has created the need for more playing fields.
"We have 930 youth players and 75 teams," he said. "There has also been increased participation from outlying communities such as Britannia Beach."
To ensure there are enough surfaces for everyone to play soccer, Hartnell would like to see the District of 樱桃视频help by providing funding for two more grass fields and two more all-weather gravel fields.
To improve services he would also like to see the construction of a new concession and clubhouse.
The SSA, which is the umbrella organization for youth, men's, women's, and high school soccer in Squamish, believes more than $1, 000, 000 would be required to reach these goals and so far $26,000 has been raised.
"Big dreams start small," said Oreamuno.
Hartnell, who is also the president of the SSA, believes the popularity of soccer in 樱桃视频is due to the low cost of playing the sport.
He said it is family oriented and can be enjoyed as a player or viewer at any age.
"It's a life sport," he said. "You can start when you are little and still be involved when you get older."
Hartnell said the joining of the all of the different sections of soccer in 樱桃视频under the SSA allows them to reach their objectives faster.
"If you work together as a group you can move in the direction you want to faster," he said.
To recognize the role volunteer coaches play in running soccer in Squamish, an appreciation night was held Saturday Feb. 4, at the Grizzly Bar and Grill.
According to Hartnell it was designed to "give back to the people who give to the children."
