Submitted by Castlegar Soccer Community
If you have been walking through Millennium Park or ventured near the Community Complex this year, you may well have heard the shrill of a referees’ whistle or the whoop of a cheering team of soccer players and their supporters.
Castlegar, in the second season since rejuvenation, now has two co-ed soccer teams representing the city. They play home games here in Castlegar to host teams from Fruitvale, Trail and Rossland and travel to them for away matches all throughout April to August.
The two teams, Castlegar City and Kinnaird FC draw players from across the diverse spectrum of our community and have fostered friendships beyond work or college environs. The league brings together adults from 18-49 interested in getting a little exercise and building community.
The brainchild of getting a Castlegar soccer club going again after a long hiatus is Mark Jennings, who is also known from other volunteering he has done throughout the city. Little did he know the take up would be so enthusiastic that Castlegar would need to field a second team after only one season.
What has this enthusiasm done? Well, the two major pieces of silverware up for grabs in our region both made it to Castlegar this year.
The Pedrosa Cup was played over a blisteringly hot knock-out event during Sunfest and was won by Castlegar City. The league trophy went to Kinnaird FC which showed their stamina and class over the whole season.
A final match between the two cup winners on Sept. 4 saw the sun set on the season with a fiercely played game that resulted in a tie of 1-1. Whatever the result, Castlegar’s soccer community has won.
If you are 18+ and interested in playing co-ed next season then find us on Facebook under Castlegar Soccer Community. There is also drop-in indoor over the winter at Selkirk College if you need your soccer buzz year round.
READ MORE: As cold weather arrives, Castlegar Community Services seeks donations
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