It’s been a few minutes since Robert Rigby (Coach Bob to most) has headed up a soccer program in the area. That’s about to change with the advent of the new Baldwin Youth Soccer Development Club.
BYSDC will be registering youth born in 2012 and 2013 (both boys and girls) who would like to hone their soccer skills with a view to future regional competitive, high school and post-secondary play. For those who are eligible, the club will also offer training for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) tryouts. The NAIG will be taking place in Calgary, Alberta, in 2027.
Players can expect structured coaching, strength and conditioning, player skill enhancement, team bonding and, above all, fun.
Rigby says, “What we are providing is a youth-exclusive program that will fill the gap of competitive training and play in our area. We will be fully accredited and affiliated with the Greater North Soccer Association. Under this banner, there are 18 other member clubs, from the Sault to Sudbury to Cochrane, and we are very much looking forward to eventually having the opportunity to compete against some of these teams.”
Holly Zahorodny, Clerk Administrator/Treasurer of Baldwin Township says, “Council and staff are very excited to see this initiative succeed and are looking forward to having some recreational activities brought back into the community.”
Rigby was instrumental in repurposing the old ballfield in McKerrow into the current soccer field, which was dedicated as the Cpl Glen Arnold memorial recreation field in 2014.
Sponsorship opportunities will soon be available, as will registration dates. In the meantime, interested players can email BaldwinYouthSoccer@gmail.com and join the club’s Facebook page.
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