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.
During the soccer executive meeting held last week, it was announced that it is possible that McIsaac School Ecole McIsaac could have a new junior size field very soon. Of course this is dependent on funding. This is great for the Division Three players, and is another step in the process of bringing the best facilities to our area. The Flin Flon U18 girls' soccer team have a new name; the Fury announced this week that they will play in their first tournament in Saskatoon on June 23-25. Other confirmed teams are Battleford, Saskatoon and Thompson. Feel the Fury. If you are under 18 and want to try out for the team, the Fury train twice weekly at Creekside Park. Come and join us any Tuesday or Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Kirkham's coaching tip of the week The phrase "keep it simple" is often overused. But in soccer, simple moves executed perfectly, work. Too many times I have seen balls lost to the opposition by players who want to show off. Last week I took part in a scrimmage, the two teams were even on a skills basis, but to my surprise both missed numerous chances to score by trying to kick the ball too hard, or holding on to it too long. Soccer is an easy game to figure out. If you score more than the opposition, you win. But to score, the ball has to hit the target, and it's a big target Ð eight yards wide and eight feet high Ð and yet time after time the ball went left, right, over the crossbar. Keep it simple, concentrate on hitting the target, then go for power. Always look for the pass, holding on to the ball to beat one more player is a recipe for disaster. When you can use the ball to move up field, do it, the ball is round for a reason. Look for a team member to pass to, and move into a position to receive a pass. These are all basics, but basic skills win games. World Cup predictions On the eve of the 2006 World Cup, I thought it was time I put pen to paper with a couple of picks. First is for the semi finalists. Of course my favorite to win is England. One man never makes a team, but if Wayne Rooney is fit enough to play, watch out! With the three lions of the England emblem, pride, passion and belief producing one mighty roar, who can doubt this team will once again take up their rightful place as world champions? Well...Brazil for one. Skill, flair and mastery with the ball are hallmarks of any Brazilian team. They must always be thought of as potential champions. Former Brazilian great Pele once said that soccer for him was never more important than life Ð it was his life Ð and the Brazilian team will play as if their lives depend on winning. Germany, playing at home, should be very strong. Their style of play is direct, organized, and well planned. Sometimes lacking the flair of the Brazilians, they possess strength both on and off the ball. There is some upset in the German camp however, as coach Jurgen Klinsmann refused to leave his home in California to prepare his team. This has many German critics doubting the former World Cup winners loyalty. But at home, in front of passionate supporters, they will be a force. What they lack in flair they have in desire and determination. The French are my last pick. France are always strong, especially when playing teams from Europe. This year they seem to have the correct combination of players who are peaking at the right time. Thierry Henry of Arsenal could be the leading scorer with his missile launching left foot. The fanatical support of passionate French fans could be the deciding factor. So there you are, my prediction for the four teams in the World Cup are England, Germany, France and Brazil. Sorry Emanuel, my second prediction is that Portugal will have to buy lottery tickets if they hope to win anything! Until next week Ð keep on kicking
