Men's Soccer - Fun, Fit, Competitive

INVICTUS

 In early June of this year, five teams, full of hopes and aspirations, began vying for the coveted Miramichi United Championship plaque, which represents supremacy in the Senior Soccer League.  A rigorous twelve game regular season schedule, which allowed the teams to hone their skills, was followed by a hard fought four game round robin playoff schedule in order to determine who would contend for the ultimate prize.

The final match pitted archrivals The (Napan) Rovers against Think Tank (aka Howe’s Team).  The regular season had seen the Rovers edge Think Tank 2 games to 1, while the round robin series saw Think Tank eke out a narrow victory in a shoot out.  The stage had been set.  The ultimate game, full of raw emotions and an unbridled desire to win by both teams, saw The Rovers’ steady offensive and defensive play continually stymie their opponents as they battled to a hard fought 3-1 victory. Bill Campbell, Rob Butler and Ian Hambrook brilliantly converted The Rover’s goals, while Doug Howe netted Think Tank’s only challenge.

The game was played before a small, but boisterous crowd of loyal fans and the après match saw much camaraderie and friendship, which the league embodies.  The successful 2012 season culminated with the well-attended season ending party in mid-September.

The Senior Soccer League (an affiliate of the Miramichi United Soccer Club) is a 7 vs. 7 league and has been in existence since 2009.  It was founded on the motto “Victory Integrity & Friendship”.  Brent Garrish, President and League co-founder, with Adam Hayward, stated that the league was founded on the concept that the scoreboard records the final result, but it does not tell the real story. Garrish said the real story is how the young and the “not so young”, of all skill levels and all nationalities meld into teams to play for the big win and the ultimate glory.  In the making of victory, one team wins and the other team falls.

“But in the Senior Soccer league, everyone plays with intensity, vigor and a burning desire to win, but the real victory is not in the winning, but in the fair play, the friendship and the camaraderie,” said Garrish.  “It gives everyone the opportunity, not only to playing lots of soccer and staying fit and healthy, but to re-kindling old friendships and to making new ones with players from diverse backgrounds and cultures who have a common love for “The Beautiful Game”.”

The registration for next year is in April/May 2013, with the season getting under way in early June and running until the end of August.  Registration is open to anyone 16 and over.  This year’s 75 registrants ranged in age from 16 to 63 on five teams, with 15 players per team.  Anyone interested in playing “The Beautiful Game” or entering a team in the 2013 season, can contact Brent Garrish at miramichisoccer @gmail.com or telephone 778-8191.

Indoor Men’s soccer is also played during the winter months from November to April on Sunday nights from 7 pm – 9 pm at Miramichi Valley High School gym.  All are welcome.  For more information, contact Kevin Richard at 627-0426.

 

PHOTO –

Front Row - l to r Rob Butler, Brent Garrish, Marc Gaudet, Bill Campbell, and Bill Morrissy.

Back Row l to r Shaun Hubscher, Jimmie Dickie, Shaun Connors, Ken Yvonne, Ian Hambrook, and William Morrissy. (missing -Rob Boulay, Mike Golding and Phil Bremner)