Words Cassidy Nunn
Photo Nunn Other Photography
We showed up to the soccer field a bit late (shocking, I know! I blame the extremely long time it takes to do the laces up on a three-year-old’s first pair of tiny soccer cleats … ) with two very excited girls ready for their first Girls Night Soccer, a free community soccer program hosted by Peninsula FC at Blue Heron Turf Fields in Sidney. Our daughters raced over to join the group of over 150 girls clad in neon colours and cleats. My husband and I soon lost sight of them in the crowd of girls doing jumping jacks; the speakers were blasting pump-up music, throngs of parents were gathered on the sidelines cheering their girls on and the massive field was set up with nets and bags of soccer balls and bright pinnies. With a megaphone and a neon yellow shirt and pink shorts, Coach Krista Young and her cousin, Coach Ellise Guigon, wrapped up the warm-up and split the girls up by age groups, assigning them to a volunteer coach and a spot on the field.
The two had the idea last year to have a soccer night just for girls to come and experience the sport without having to commit to being in a league. The small pilot project had 30 participants last year and this year the registration has ballooned to 180! They’ve worked hard to get sponsors, and to organize the many coaches and volunteers that it takes to run such a successful community program. They’re hoping to inspire a lifelong value of sport, where girls can feel they belong, and experience the joy of being part of a team and connecting with other players.
“When my daughter started soccer,” Krista says, “I wanted her to have the same experience I had. Standing on the sidelines was never really where I belonged, I wanted to be out on the field helping create those experiences for the next generation. I also wanted her to grow up seeing women coach, lead, organize programs, and build community. I want her to know that girls and women don’t just participate in sport – we help shape it.”
Girls of all ages and skill levels, from our little three-year-old who’s never played before to teenagers who play in the league regularly, have all been welcomed to these drop in soccer nights. Each night has a theme, from the first night of everyone dressing in neon colours, to glitter tattoos, world cup night (dress up as your favourite country in world cup), super hero night, twin night (dress up as twins with a buddy) etc. The use of music on the field has also been intentional to help create energy, foster connection and improve motivation and mood.
Last week we made it to practice on time; my husband volunteered to coach and I was cheering support on the sidelines. The girls ran and ran and ran some more. They laughed, they danced, they played with friends old and new. Our elder daughter scored a few goals that she was very proud of, and in between all the scrimmages, each group of girls were ushered to the middle of the field where more volunteers worked to apply glittery tattoos to their rosy cheeks. At the end of each practice, the girls all race over to the clubhouse for a treat and the chance to enter a raffle for draw prizes from local sponsors – the more practices a player attends, the more chances to win as the raffle will be drawn on the final night of practice.
While the Girls Soccer Nights have already begun, they’ll be running every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. until July 30 at the Blue Heron Turf Fields and while registration is encouraged (and free!) drop ins are also always welcome.
For more information visit www.peninsulasoccer.ca.
