Harbourside FC play their home opener in their second campaign in League1 BC on Saturday in Nanaimo. (Harbourside FC)

By Alex Rawnsley

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May 3, 2024 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — A solid mixture of local and international flavour make up the men’s and women’s Harbourside FC teams this season

The teams will hold their home opener on Saturday, May 4 at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium in Nanaimo in front of what’s expected to be a large crowd rivaling the record-setting 1,200 people for the first game last year.

It was mixed results on opening weekend against new franchise Burnaby FC, with the men’s side drawing 3-3, while the women fell 3-1.

Women’s coach Bobbie Taylor said they came out strong and were dominant at points, but failed to adapt as the game rolled on and couldn’t capitalize on chances.

“We got a little tired in the legs, tired in the brain and the players recognize that and we’ll come out bigger and better in the next game.”

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Sixteen players are set to return for the women’s squad which missed a playoff spot on the final weekend of last season.

Captain Mary Nicholls, striker Erin Jensen, goalkeepers Emily Rowbotham and Kaiden Thorpe, along with NCAA star Jazmine Wilkinson are among those back for second seasons.

The women’s team are looking to take a step forward after narrowly missing out on playoffs last season. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Taylor said the team’s recruiting efforts were boosted by Victoria-based Highlanders FC not fielding a team and freeing up some very high-level players to join Harbourside.

Former Highlanders captain Taiya Scorey, winger Sophie Murphy and fullback Sophie Miranda are among those from the south Island and bring a lot of experience at this level.

“That’s not a part that we have to introduce them to as far as the league and as far as camaraderie, it’s already happening and there’s some history of those players that have played together. So we’re super excited to be coming together.”

Taylor said fans can expect the team to be fast and fit and will grow as the season goes on.

“We’re very antsy to get a result but not losing sight of the process that takes us there. The process didn’t take as their last weekend so we know we have to really assert ourselves in the final third [Saturday against Rivers]. We will be a very dynamic energetic team which I think the fans will love.”

Taylor also highlighted defender Rebekah van Dort as a key off-season recruit, joining the team from high level soccer in New Zealand, as well as games last year in League 1 in Ontario.

There are plenty of new faces on the Harbourside FC men’s roster, including plenty of international representation and players from across Vancouver Island. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Looking to move up the table after a tough season in 2023, Kevin Lindo’s men’s squad has started strong.

Three goals scored in their opening game, including two for Vasilis Bagiopoulos, is a sign of things to come.

“We’re always going to want good guys to get the ball in dangerous areas. We want to try to dictate the tempo of the game in and out of possession, so we’ll stay true to that.”

Recruitment also took the men’s team across Vancouver Island, as well as benefiting from some international pieces as well.

Players on the roster come from Morocco, Egypt, England, Scotland, New Zealand and Venezuela.

“Some of those guys have been here longer than me, but that’s just B.C. especially, it’s a transient place, a beautiful place where people want to come,” Lindo said. “We have guys whether they came from university or as an immigrant, they bring skills with them.”

Men’s head coach Kevin Lindo rallies his troops during a training session on Tuesday, April 30. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Lindo added regardless of background, the focus was on players who could step in and make contributions right away.

“We wanted guys who were used to playing at a high level, had good levels of fitness and energy. We also wanted to cast a net out across the Island, so we do have a cohort from Victoria and then we’ve still got that handful who come from way across the country.”

Ten players return from last year’s squad including Canadian national futsal goalkeeper Callum Weir, defender Fergus Hall and winger Suka Behery.

Lindo was coy on new recruits he was keen to have fans see, mentioning there is a long list of exciting players who will see game action over the coming weeks.

Saturday’s matchup against Rivers starts a busy stretch of three games in seven days for Harbourside.

Squads will travel to North Vancouver and play Altitude FC on Wednesday, May 8 before returning home to host the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 11.

Saturday’s game will also mark the first of a two-leg cup competition between Harbourside and Rivers, playing for the inaugural Reid Davidson Community Shield.

Davidson was a member of the team’s staff last season and was killed in an accident on the Nanaimo Parkway in mid-July.

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