NSSL WINTER LEAGUE GAMES BACK ON THE ISLAND!
CAPE BRETON FC U13AA Boys Prospects hosted the first Nova Scotia Soccer League (NSSL) Winter League indoor games on the island for six years at the weekend.
Suburban FC were the visitors and won both games against an improving young CAPERS squad at the CBU Dome in two excellent fixtures.
The big success, though, was CBFC proving that a true Provincial development winter league should include rural clubs having the chance to host their own home games away from Halifax when they have the correct facilities to do so.
The U13AA Boys will play 14 games this winter with eight in Halifax over two busy weekends and six on home soil in Sydney.
Regional Director of Soccer Development Iain King said: "Playing in the Winter League has been a big area of debate since I arrived in this job in May 2022 and with the travel difficulties there are for sure plusses and minuses but with this group we felt they would benefit so much as they are really gifted 2013 born players.
"We knew competing up a year against mainly 2012s would be hugely beneficial for them.
"It's proving that way and we are indebted to Cameron McCrae and Michelle Denley at Soccer Nova Scotia for their help and vision in ensuring that the CBFC kids have the same chance as their HRM counterparts - to play games on home some soil in a Provincial League.
"Taking in the play-offs we will still face three trips to Halifax in the winter season against teams making one trip to the island to play us but it has been constructed well and this is the way a true Provincial league should work.
"The boys had a terrific weekend and they are learning in every game and we would like to thank Suburban Head Coach Diego DiRemegio for his sportsmanship and help over a big weekend for our kids.
"Our big goal with this group is to have them in good shape to play against their own U12 age group in the SNS Showcases in April and July and the Winter League is a huge help in that regard."
* HOME AND HAPPY...our picture shows the CAPERS Academy U13AA Boys with their coaching staff during the CBU Dome weekend games against Suburban FC.
