The new landscape for boys rep soccer continues to evolve with the announcement last week that the North Delta Soccer Club will now facilitate Delta District Youth Soccer Association's entire Metro Select program.
Although teams, ranging from U13 to U18 will continue to be hosted by the district's four clubs, North Delta will oversee everything from coaching selection to determining a new neutral district team kit.
An agreement has also been reached to have a closer working relationship with Coastal FC (formerly South Fraser) of the B.C. Premier Soccer League to give players more exposure.
Delta Metro teams will now be invited to train with Coastal's Premier clubs on a rotational basis, providing the opportunity for potential call-ups. Technical coaching from both programs will be also be participating in each other's training sessions, as well as game day operations.
Coastal FC is based out of South Surrey and is part of the seven-team BCPSL (high performance league) that was created two years ago by the B.C. Soccer Association. Other clubs include Coquitlam Metro Ford, Fusion FC (Vancouver/Richmond), Mountain FC (North Shore/Burnaby), Surrey United, Abbotsford, Vancouver Island and Okanagan.
The idea was to enhance elite player development by condensing the top talent even further than what is offered in the Metro Select League. There is no restrictions on out of district players per team.
The BCPSL plays a spring season with league play starting in late February and concluding in mid-June. Teams in the U14, U16 and U18 divisions will also play off to represent B.C. at the National Club Championships which take place annually Thanksgiving Weekend.
The BCPSL also features a mini-fall season from September to mid-November.
Tsawwassen, Ladner and North Delta are all regional partners of Coastal which is an amalgamation of South Fraser, Peace Arch and Semiahmoo Soccer Clubs.
Corner kicks... .Tsawwassen resident and former women's national team U20 coach Bob Birada will be coaching Coastal FC's U13 and U17 girls teams. Birada also served three years as head coach of the Whitecaps women's team.
.Tsawwassen's Hannah Carrothers was one of 24 players from across the country invited to last month's women's U15 national identification camp in Vaughn, Ontario. The week long camp was the first project for 1997-born players, leading up to U17 international competitions in 2014. Carrothers plays fullback for Coastal FC of the BCPSL.
