The Cochrane Rangers indoor soccer season is upon us, with the season starting on Oct. 2, with both men’s and women’s competitive and recreational leagues.
The Rangers are still looking for women to join the recreational league that runs on Sunday’s and Monday’s, where games will be played from October to the middle of April.
“It’s a great program for people who not only want to get back into soccer, but for those who are new to soccer and want to try it for the first time,” Cochrane Rangers organizer Paul Tas said.
“It’s a great way to get the community out playing soccer. It’s basically a group of friends playing together and it’s a friendly atmosphere, the has a competitive edge to it.”
The goal of the recreational league is to keep the community active, while also learning about the game of soccer.
“It’s a great way for me personally to be motivated to get out and be active,” said Claire Souvairan, who is one of the organizers for the recreational league.
“It forces you to be committed and have accountability, because your team needs you to be there. So from a personal standpoint, it’s a great way for me to get out and exercise.”
The recreational league is also a great way for people new to town to meet some new people. That’s how co-organizer Chelsea Paolini got involved.
“I grew up playing soccer, but when I moved to Cochrane I didn’t know anyone period, let alone people who played soccer,” Paolini said.
“It was a nice way for me to get to know people in the community and find like-minded individuals who enjoyed soccer.”
The season starts on Oct. 2, but the first few meetings will be a scrimmage for people who might be a little hesitant in joining. All the games will be played at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, and there will be 46 games for each team, not including the annual soccer social at the end of the year.
“It’s $250, which makes it about $5 or $6 per outing, which includes the soccer social, “It’s a really fun and a great way to socialize… it really is the best bang for your buck.” Souvairian said.
The Cochrane Rangers are also celebrating the five-year anniversary of the Soccer Quest 42, a fundraiser that got the Rangers into the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest indoor soccer game, which raised $32,000 for Right to Play. There will be an open tournament for all the Rangers teams from Oct. 10 through until Oct. 12 to celebrate the event.
