Green grass and warm summer breezes may seem to be a long way off for the Kootenay region but minor soccer coaching camps, player registration and significant planning for the upcoming season are well underway.
Last year, over 400 young soccer players from Castlegar, Beaver Valley, Trail and Rossland took to the fields.
To help with it all, Clemente Miranda has been appointed the new director of technical development for the Kootenay South Youth Soccer Association.
Originally from Mexico, Miranda has been in Canada for seven years. He now lives in Trail after making a move from Newfoundland. A professional engineer, soccer has been a passion and a welcome break from work since childhood. Though he has coached many teams, he said his new role will be as a primary resource for all other coaches in the area.
"We have great things on the go here," Miranda said. "We're looking to expand and provide soccer as a viable option for the kids."
Parents can register kids online at www.kootenaysouthsoccer.com. The deadline for early bird registration has been extended until Thursday, March 7.
Miranda said he is focussed on grassroots development of players and is excited to be able to help provide the best coaching opportunities for kids. Creating more opportunities for winter practice is also a goal.
Good coaches make for good players and spring coaching camps begin soon at Selkirk College. They are provided free of charge through the BC Soccer Association and space is limited.
Those interested in coaching a soccer team should visit www.kootenaysouthsoccer.com and follow the instructions to register.
The coaching camp dates are: March 9 - 10, "Learn to Train", U10 - U12; March 16 - 17 "Soccer For Life", U13+; April 5, "Active Start", U6; April 6, "Fundamentals", U8 and April 7 is "Goalkeeping."