The U15 Girls’ Soccer team have their eyes set on the Regional prize this season

 

With spring weather finally in the forecast, seasonal sports such as soccer are starting to hit local fields. The Canadian Tire Whitecourt Warriors U15 Girls’ Soccer team was out in the sunshine at Percy Baxter School on Thursday, May 3 getting ready for its upcoming season. They have been training for the last two weeks and are just days away from their first matches.

“This is the same group of girls we had last year that really did well. They ended up scoring 115 goals and allowed in only 15. They are really driven in doing their workouts and are a strong, offensive team,” said Coach Casey Hadley. The team finished silver at Regionals last season and are looking forward to the opportunity to go further. “They won gold at the Sherwood Park tournament and bronze at the Camrose tournament. It was a heartbreaking loss at Regionals last year and they are determined to push past it this time around,” said Hadley. “Their goal in mind this year is to win Regionals and to go to Provincials and do well. They want it and that’s their focus.”

Coach Hadley had the girls running drills and had several circuits set up for them to power through. “In soccer, the average player runs eight kilometres a game, so they need to be conditioned in their cardio.” The girls were tossing medicine balls, both six and 10 pounds, and made it look easy. “We have a ladder drill which helps them to be faster on their feet, and they are also doing the side-to-side shuffle and changing directions. It’s more of a goalie move but they would still do it if they had to move quickly in the field.” Another of the circuits set up was hurdles, and Coach Hadley said it helps the girls strengthen their legs, so their kicks can become more powerful.

In just a short time, coach Hadley said he sees remarkable improvement in the girls. “They are faster then they were last year and much stronger.” The first home games for the girls will take place on June 16 against Jasper and Edson. “We would love to have more people come out and support any of the Whitecourt soccer teams playing. We have hungry groups at all age levels and they would really appreciate the support.”

The U13 girls, U13 boys (Whitecourt 2), and U15 boys will be hosting teams in Whitecourt on May 12 and 13. Games will be taking place at either Graham Acres or Percy Baxter School.