KICKING IT UP A NOTCH
City has eye on pro soccer
Saskatoon is taking the next step to making professional soccer a reality.
An inaugural SK Summer Soccer Series — which kicks off with a friendly game on May 4 (7 p.m.) at SMF Field between a Saskatchewan Selects squad and reigning USL League 2 champion Calgary Foothills FC — will be “a stepping stone to bringing professional soccer to Saskatchewan,” said promoter Joe Belan from the host committee.
The first step is establishing “a foundation” for professional soccer in the province, Belan stressed during a media conference Thursday at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre.
That’s where the SK Summer Soccer Series comes in.
It will be a test pilot to gauge support and interest.
The first friendly will be played at SMF Field, which is home to the Canadian junior football champion Saskatoon Hilltops.
“We look forward to bringing a different type of football here — the global game,” said Belan. “We firmly believe that bringing professional soccer to Saskatchewan will have a transformational effect on the development opportunity of players, coaches, both men and women. Soccer is the beautiful game that brings together communities, celebrates diversity and ignites the passion and the spirit.”
Bryce Chapman, who was brought on board as director of soccer operations for the SK Summer Soccer Series 2019, admits he was immediately “intrigued” when talk began on bringing this series to the province.
“One layer that’s missing, particularly for Saskatchewan, is the pro game,” Chapman said.
“We haven’t had this layer forever for the game of soccer in Saskatchewan. We have young players who grow to a point where they kind of fall into this abyss. Even our university players who want to pursue a pro career afterwards, they kind of get lost in a shuffle. Hockey and football have those layers here in our community. Now we can provide that for our soccer players.
“We’re in Saskatchewan and sometimes we’re forgotten. Now we have the opportunity to showcase our talent.”
Chapman said more is needed to “engage our young soccer players and inspire them” and this is another layer of their development.
The team, Chapman added, will include four or five spots for junior development players from the 1619 age group, joining university players, senior players and outof-province/international players.
“Sometimes there’s a need for injection to make sure we’re competitive,” said Chapman, who expects the Saskatchewan Selects roster to be finalized by mid-april.
Co-coach Percy Hoff said there’s a list of about 30 players who have been identified.
“It’s really an exciting time,” said Hoff, who expects his group to begin training as early as next week.
“I think it’s going to be pretty good (calibre), a little bit above university level. It depends on the holes we sort of fill in and what level of people we can get to do that but that’s a big job for us and Bryce has been hard at work already.”
Two of those players, introduced Thursday, are Jordan (Chico) Farahani and Nikolas Baikas.
“When I was born, I don’t think I could fathom professional soccer in Saskatchewan,” said Farahani.
“Growing up, pro soccer in Saskatchewan was a far-fetched dream. (This is) a good Litmus test to see how strong the (soccer) community can be.”
The goal is bringing professional soccer to Saskatoon, with the aim of bringing the Canadian Premier League — “a league built by Canadians for Canadians,” Belan said — to the city.
There are seven teams playing in the CPL’S inaugural season: FC Edmonton, York 9 FC (Toronto), Cavalry FC (Calgary), Valour FC (Winnipeg), HFX Wanderers FC (Halifax), Forge FC (Hamilton) and Pacific FC (Victoria).
“We’d like to join the league when we’re ready,” said Belan, adding the summer series was a stepping stone to establishing that pathway.
“We’re exceeding some of our expectations already. That’s a very positive early signal.”
Belan said the visibility of Saskatchewan soccer players, nationally, “gets overlooked.”
“This will give them exposure to other teams across the country to be scouted and, ultimately, develop their careers,” he said.
“This is the start of a journey. We hope it’s a very successful one.”
Ticket prices will range from $12 for youth/senior to $16 for adults. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are available on the event website: www.sksss.ca