A real ball had at Welland soccer festival
As people all over the globe are cheering fanatically for their respective countries in the ongoing World Cup, several soccer teams from Niagara and the Hamilton area were also celebrating the sport in Welland on Saturday.
Hosted by the Welland Wizards Soccer Club, a soccer festival and tournament involving 41 teams from eight divisions played two games throughout the day, split between outdoor and indoor fields at Youngs Sportsplex.
Lead organizer Tom Muir said it was an opportunity for young athletes to get in some non-competitive exhibition action, but it also put the River Road venue in the spotlight.
“We have a facility that’s second to none in the area,” said Muir.
Scores are kept in the games, but there is no final championship or first-place trophies handed out at the end of the day.
“It encourages the kids to come out and have a full day of soccer,” said Muir, noting that the festival concept falls in line with Ontario Soccer’s programming.
Skills challenges and drills are also part of the day.
As the sport’s most prestigious tournament, held every four years, is currently played out at stadiums in Russia, the excitement of it was certainly on the minds of the teams registered in the weekend’s events.
Canada will co-host the World Cup in 2026 with the United States and Mexico, something Muir said he and other soccer fans, including the kids playing in Welland on the weekend, are looking forward to.
“Maybe we’ll see some of these kids in it.”