Six aside tournament play, day camps and outreach sessions highlight an unusually busy Nanaimo United summer season. (NUFC)

By Dan Marshall

Summer Soccer

Summer programming gives Nanaimo United athletes more time on the pitch

Jul 23, 2021 | 3:57 PM

NANAIMO — The summer months are usually quiet for the Nanaimo United soccer program but it isn’t the case in 2021.

Six aside summer sessions are proving popular with all age groups, the club is running outreach soccer events at Maffeo Sutton Park and six athletes have received scholarships to assist with their post secondary education.

Community engagement lead Jade Richardson said United’s six week summer program is being offered for the first time ever.

“People are really excited to get back on the field. It ranges from U9 all the way to our adult age group. It’s a tournament style fun soccer against teams we’ve made based on similar ability and experience.”

Youth soccer day camps are also being offered in the same six week window between late June and early August.

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Nanaimo United coaches and staff spent an afternoon at Maffeo Sutton Park recently, inviting the community to come and kick a soccer ball around.

Richardson said it was a chance to share the joy of the sport.

“We’re excited soccer and other sports are back in a more normal way. We met with members of the community and had a really nice day at a favourite park in Nanaimo.”

Another similar event is planned for Maffeo Sutton park on Aug. 14, just ahead of United’s busy fall schedule.

As students head back to school in September, six Nanaimo United players will do so with cash scholarships to help with their post secondary plans.

Olivia Mazurenko, Lucas Tutton, Keelin Nixon, Jack Miller, Georgia Nicholls and Ava Alexander were selected for the funding which is given our every year.

Registration is well underway for the United fall season with upwards of 1,300 players expected to take the field, which doesn’t include the approximately 180 adult players who will be put on the teams after the fall evaluation period.

More information on Nanaimo United programs and registration is available on the club website.

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