The 55th season of the Barrie Soccer Club (BSC) is gearing up with registration opening for camps and the organization's big festivals.
The BSC is the region’s largest soccer organization with around 1,900 kids involved in multiple levels of competition and training.
Mark Cristante, who is the BSC's technical director, tells BarrieToday it's a busy but enjoyable time for all involved.
“We just started house league registration, so it has been very busy for those overseeing that,” Cristante said. “Where we are currently for sign-ups is where we would typically be in April. I think it has to do with not only parents wanting their kids to be active after the last few years of the pandemic, but also the club having a great reputation and the many programs we have to properly develop players.”
Cristante noted the many players that are being signed for college/university as well as League1 Ontario, the province’s semi-pro league.
“The partnership between us and the Simcoe County Rovers FC and with Toronto FC has really shown people that the Barrie Soccer Club is the elite place in the region to help get your kids to the next level,” he said. “Two females on the national team (Victoria Pickett and Devon Kerr) came through here and (Carl Haworth) on the men’s national side as well is from our program. We’re very proud of all of them.”
Another player from Barrie, Aodhán O’Hara, is playing professionally in Europe.
Registration for the outdoor summer house league is open, with programs offered from U3 to U18 for youth, as well as adult co-ed and men’s recreational leagues available.
The BSC has also announced their dates for their summer camps, set for July 10-14, July 24-28 and Aug. 14-18.
Cristante said the amount of weeks for camps was needed due to predicted sign-ups, which he believes is on an upward trend because of sports culture changing in Barrie.
“We’re seeing many new people moving to the area, a lot of them are from soccer homes as they may be a lot of new Canadians,” he said. “The culture of the city is changing a bit as we see these historically soccer-loving families come here.”
The rise of the women’s game has attributed to the club’s program expansion and in May the BSC is running a girls only skills festival for players U9 to 12 where they will get to meet Rovers players and work with BSC technical staff.
Cristante is also excited to announce the 15th annual Spiritfest tournament is returning on June 3-4 at Tree Nursery Sports Park, and the Barrie Community Sports Complex. The event attracts close to 100 teams from across the province every year and sees what Cristante calls a boost to the game and the community.
“This is our marquee event and it is a real test for all our kids who compete," he said. "What we have also enjoyed seeing is the money put back into the community from visiting teams and families. Some people stay overnight at hotels and many go to the local restaurants while they are here.”
For the first time, the club will be running their first U9 to U12 festival on June 17 and 18 at Huronia Park. Registration for that has started and all BSC development and rep teams will be participating.
Anyone interested in being part of house league, summer camps and/or the club’s multi-team festivals can head to the website and find the appropriate link. Volunteers are also needed and those interested are asked to email the club at [email protected].
