The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
ItÕs back to school time and of course that means high school soccer time. This is my favorite time of year, even though the school season is painfully short, it is one that is filled with promise of bringing a provincial championship banner back to Hapnot. I really believe that this year is our year. We have a team that is full of talent, and who have shown their usual dedication by playing and practicing since the end of July. Our motto this year is Òvictory brings gloryÓ. Last year we had one loss, and unfortunately it was in the provincial playoffs, and cost us the banner that we so dearly strive for. Our mission this year is no losses. We do not talk about losing, we do not anticipate losing and we should never lose. Our season starts on the September 13 with a three-team tournament in Neepawa. Anyone who knows me knows that Neepawa was the only team to beat us last season. I want to defeat them so badly it hurts. My team wants to beat them so badly they hurt. This is a three game tournament, a warm up to the rural zones, we play each tournament the same, to win, and Neepawa here we come. Next up is our usual tournament here at home September 20-21 against Cranberry, The Pas and OCN. One of these games is always a challenge, but in the words of J.F.K. Òwe will never back down from a challenge, instead we welcome itÓ. The following week is the zones playoff, every game we play there is important, every win is a step closer to our goal of a banner for Hapnot. We anticipate that the Thompson Trojans will once again be our strongest opposition, but that does not mean that we take any team lightly. We prepare the same for every game, watch our opposition if possible, field a team that will get the job done, and mentally prepare. As a coach, it is my job to get the team ready, to keep them focused and mentally strong. Our preparation this season is on target with our fitness being just as important as our skill. My team knows what happens if they donÕt try in training, you donÕt play, simple. Effort equals success, success equals victory and victory brings glory. As a team, we feel that this is going to be a great season for us Ð our defense is strong, our midfield is powerful and our forwards are deadly. We have a coaching staff that is amazing. From a one man show in previous years, I now have three assistant coaches, Murray McIntyre, Megan Strachan and Brett Hopper. Murray is an accomplished coach from Flin Flon with many successful years coaching girls teams. Megan has joined us from Brandon where she coached at the highest level of high school soccer and Brett is a first time girls soccer coach. Brett moved to Flin Flon having played in the Manitoba major soccer league. If I sound confident, I am. If the Kweens sound confident, they are, and they should be. We have risen from a team that was mediocre, to a team that turns heads wherever we play. As coaches, we are happy to be involved with such a great bunch of girls, As parents, you should be proud, these girls represent what is best about our community. We are proud to be from Hapnot when we are on the road, we give our all, and hold our heads high, and as future champions it is the least we can do.
