Soccer season is shaping up to be an especially busy one in Prince Albert. (Submitted Photo/Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association)

By Rob Mahon

Record Soccer Registration

Minor soccer prepares for record-setting season after run of registrations

Apr 26, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Soccer parents may have been worried about the season starting on time, especially when the snow began to fall last week. As it turns out, however, they didn’t need to worry and the season will get started at the right time.

The Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association has gotten its coaches signed up, its referees in order, and its start date set. And while the weather is promising for that day, they’re prepared to get the ball rolling on a new season even if Mother Nature gets cranky.

“Monday, May 1, it all starts,” said Mitzi Pytlak, office manager with the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association. “Snow, rain, shine, it all starts. We’re starting no matter what.”

According to Pytlak, city crews will be out throughout the week getting the fields ready for practices and games. They’ll need to get a lot of fields ready, because PAYSA has more kids registered for this season than ever before.

“Close to 1200 kids registering, a record season for us,” Pytlak said. “Lots of First Nations participating, coming from Big River, from Sturgeon Lake, Sandy Lake, Beardy’s, we’ve got lots of people coming in. If the weather cooperates, it will be a fabulous season.”

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The plan is for the season to run all of May and all of June. The schedule will be up within a couple of days, according to Pytlak, and as has been the case in other years, they’re starting the season on time.

“We always start on time,” Pytlak said. “I think maybe, I don’t know how many years ago, we did have to delay one year. But last year, we had twice as much snow and we started May 1. It’s a little nippy those first few days, but next week it says it’s going to be nice, so that would be great.”

Pytlak joked she felt like she was almost jinxing things by pointing out how well they were going, but she was very satisfied with the season preparations to this point. The record number of kids signing up elevates the enthusiasm levels as well.

“I suppose we’re done with COVID,” Pytlak said. “It seems like that’s in the past, though I don’t know if we’re really done with it. But it seems like everybody feels like we’re back to normal again and they’re just anxious to get out, especially to get outside and start playing. And it was a pretty long winter.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP