-submitted by Vince Greco
Almost all local soccer opens this weekend at a variety of parks across Vancouver Island, as well as Saltspring, Penelakut, and Powell River. As we enter our 122nd year, the one thing that does not grow old – the excitement of the first game!
81 teams across 10 different divisions of play.
This year has already had some excitement as the off season had several players exercise the “free agent” market and many have decided to move to other teams. This will no doubt add an extra element to the games that take place.
Our flagship division; Division 1, has a different flavor to it this year. It still has defending Garrison Cup Divisional Champions Cowichan FC. It still has Jackson Cup Champions Nanaimo FC. It still has defending McGavin Cup Champions Gorge. There are 2 new teams into the fold; they are once very dominating Vantreights and the newer kids on the block – Westcastle United.
Here is what is on tap for the opening weekend sponsored by TeamSales:
| Friday, September 8th, 2017 | ||||
| 07:00 PM | Lakehill FC – (D1) @ Gorge FC – (D1) | Hampton Park ** | ||
| 08:00 PM | VI Wave – (D1) @ Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | Oak Bay High School | ||
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Saturday, September 9th, 2017 |
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| 04:00 PM | Westcastle United – (D1) @ Cowichan FC – (D1) | Sherman Road | ||
| 07:00 PM | Comox Valley United – (D1) @ Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | Merle Logan Turf | ||
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Sunday, September 10th, 2017 |
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| 02:00 PM | Vic West FC – (D1) @ Vantreights – (D1) | Finlayson Turf | ||
**Our Game of the Week – has a revitalized Lakehill FC group vs the defending McGavin Cup Champions Gorge FC.
Lakehill was busy in the offseason and have picked up some new players; of note, a handful from the Cowichan United team that had an excellent year winning Division 2 last year. Gorge will be back with the solid core of players from last year that narrowly missed on qualifying for BC Soccer Provincial Cup.
Our Game of the Week is sponsored by 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant and Heineken. Game MVP will be treated to promotional goods from both of those Gold Partners to the VISL.
We look forward to an exciting weekend and year ahead and hope you do as well.
Support local soccer and the community.
Vince Greco
VISL President
Cell: 250-889-1213