United soccer programs booming on the cusp of fall season

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At the younger levels registration has been ongoing for a while for an early September start up.

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United soccer programs booming on the cusp of fall season

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Many programs are already full which is partly because of increased interest after the recent World Cup tournament.

“On the youth side things are just exploding,” Fitzgerald said. “On the girls side we’ve doubled our numbers in some age groups and that’s also down to some of our initiatives from last year. The boys is the same thing we’ve doubled our numbers in some of those age groups as well.”

The youngest kids from U4 to U7 can sign up for Happy Cleats, those sessions run at least once a week.

As players get older there are more team based options with the Central Island Soccer League and an academy as well.

The fall season for all levels is approximately 14 weeks, wrapping up in mid December.

Skill development is important but Fitzgerald says the focus is on fun and creating a lifetime of enjoyment in the game.

“Even at our tier one level we don’t get too focused on results and league tables, it’s based on how we can help each individual player so that we’ve they’re 25 they’re still playing soccer and very good at it.”

Nanaimo United has grown in numbers and also the pathways to becoming an elite player all under the United umbrella.

“It’s amazing now that a kid can walk into the club at three years old and potentially play all the way up to a pro am level without leaving the city. It’s amazing how far things have come here in a short space of time.”

Registration will remain open until a given program is full.

There is also a waiting list for teams across all age groups too.

Fitzgerald notes that sign ups for the spring season will start up in November for any families who are unable to get a spot in a fall program.

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