High River Minor Soccer registrations is underway

High River Minor Soccer has started their registrations for the year, and it will stay open until April 15.

Tony Walker, Vice President and Director of Community Relations of High River Minor Soccer explains that the registration date is firm, and they can't take any players after the date.

"Register soon because there won't be any late registration. Our cut off is April 15 because we have to submit the numbers to Alberta Soccer for insurance purposes by April 20. We need to have everybody rostered by April 20," explained Walker.

Not only are the player registrations now open, but High River Minor Soccer is also accepting new coaches and referees. With the referee's they will get paid for their time as well as be entered into training and get uniforms courtesy of High River Minor Soccer.

"To date we only have four referees' registered, we usually have about 12," he said.

"We pay for the training, the uniform and we also pay the refs per game, so they can make some pocket money. For example, one team ref last year refed regular season as well as playoffs and a tournament, and he made $700. Thats pretty good for a 15-year-old."

The U5 and U7 programs will see some change this season with a new sponsor coming in with Tim Hortons. Walker is proud to get them onboard and will have the U5 and U7 team under the "Timbit" soccer name.

"Our biggest change is that our U5 and U7 program is now sponsored by Tim Hortons, so it will be called Timbits Soccer. So, in registrations it's called Timbit U5 and Timbit U7," Walker said.

"It provides to the children of the parents, jerseys, balls, socks, shorts and the medals. Before we used to pay for the balls and medals out of our own fees. So that saves us money, and it save the parents money because they don't have to buy shorts and socks."

With the opening of the outdoor soccer season, indoor soccer is coming to a close. Walker talked about the success that the indoor soccer teams had.

"This was our third year at the Anthems Community Cup, we sent four teams, and two teams medaled. We had a U11 team win a bronze medal, and for the first time ever our U13 team won the championship with a gold medal and trophy," he said.

"It's a surprise, we barely ever just place bronze every year. We are competing against 114 teams from all over Alberta in 26 different divisions."

Walker gives credit to both the players and coaches for their hard work and dedication during the indoor soccer season.

High River Minor Soccer is still looking for new sponsors to help pay for new soccer nets amongst other things. If you are interested in sponsoring contact Tony Walker at community@highriversoccer.ca.