Two weekends of South Okanagan Youth Soccer Association Cup action wrapped up with one thing being obvious: parity.
Penticton, Summerland, Oliver and Keremeos each won two age divisions while Osoyoos took one.
“You can’t get more parity, which is good,” said SOYSA administrator Steve Coates. “A real positive.
“Some people may think of house level soccer as just for fun, but for these players, coaches and families the SOYSA Cup is just like their World Cup,” said Coates. “It had emotion. They screamed when they won and cried when they lost. These final games were great soccer.”
In the first weekend of the tournament, Oliver boys and girls won the under-15/16 division, while Summerland and Penticton won the under-17/18 boys and girls division.
Both weekends of action were at King’s Park, whereas in previous years it was sprinkled in fields within the community. Coates said having all the games in one place was better.
“People liked the community feel and the excitement as games came down to the wire,” said Coates.
Because of that success, the SOYSA Cup will remain at King’s Park in future years.
While that proved to be a great kickoff to the house league season, SOYSA is now ready to host the B Cup provincial. They will welcome eight zones and 1,280 kids. They will also welcome the ladies Vancouver Whitecaps team who will play a regular season game against Santa Clarita Blue Heat on July 8 to kick off the tournament.
Tickets are $15 and can only be purchased by calling Steve Coates at 250-462-2800. Nikita Afonso will be singing the Canadian anthem.