The Airdrie and District Soccer Association (ADSA) – a local organization committed to all things footy-related – just wrapped up a successful 2021-22 indoor season and its members are looking forward to scoring some more goals outside this spring and summer.
Melissa Collinson, executive director of the ADSA, said considering the COVID-19 pandemic health restrictions implemented over the last two years, it was nice to get back into the swing of things with some indoor league play this winter.
“[We] built the teams together again as groups playing actual games against one another,” she said. “It was just really nice to be able to bring the kids back into sport after the last couple of years.”
She added the young athletes have been developing their skills, practicing together, and succeeding at their sport, with eight teams competing in three competitions bringing home bronze, silver, and gold medals.
“We had three teams head off to provincials this past weekend,” she said. “Our community league had their wrap-up tournament with really exciting finishes, and our grassroots Timbits programs wrapped up on the weekend.
“It was a really great ending to what was the first normal-ish season again, so we’re really excited to move forward.”
She added the association will be looking to host some local games entering into the outdoor season, with their first big tournament since the pandemic to be held from June 10 to 12.
“What’s really exciting for us is that we will be hosting our outdoor tournament called the Summit Cup,” she said. “It was annually held in June and we are getting ready to be able to host that one again.”
She added registration for the tournament will be opening in the next few weeks.
Additionally, registration is currently open for recreational and competitive play for all ages.
“The grassroots [players] will play in the spring and more competitive [teams] will go a bit into the summer months,” she said. “We’re just super excited to get the kids outside and running around and working together and building team camaraderie.
“It’s shaping up to be another great season.”
According to Collinson, every sport has been affected be the pandemic differently, but each sporting organization in Airdrie has been working hard to keep athletes connected and get them playing within the bounds of public health restrictions.
“It’s really nice to see now that most restrictions have been lifted,” she said. “It’s really the joy and the love for the games that are coming out again.”
Seeing the players’ smiling faces as they run across the field practicing and playing the sport they love, and experiencing the support of their friends and families cheering them on in the stands brings an environment of excitement, she added.
“It’s one thing to develop those individual skills, it’s a whole other thing to develop the friendships and the teamwork that comes with really playing together and working together for a common goal,” she said.
For more information about registration deadlines, visit airdriesoccer.com
