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Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Phantom Lake Soccer Club is under new direction for the 2012 season as former vice-president David Green has stepped up to role of president. Taking over from Tyler Kittle, Green will preside over the PLSC as its season gets underway May 4. With at least 300 soccer players between the ages of three and 18 already signed up to play, Green expects roughly 450 children this year. The club has held two registrations with their third, and final, one tomorrow. Green expects to see roughly 150 registered this weekÊ_ the same amount at each of the two registrations already held. On average, the cub gets between 400 and 450 soccer players on the field each season. The PLSC ranges from the BumbleBees to the Division 5 players. As an introduction to soccer with a focus on having fun, the BumbleBees meet once a week. 'It teaches them some games with the soccer ball. And then they play and run across the field and take a shot on the goalie,' said Green. Introduction A fun introduction for three- and four-year-olds, the players then move on to the Squirts division where there is more of an official game. 'They get a feel for the game,' said the president, noting the division has refs that come out to 'keep everything in line' and make it more official. From there, the players move along from divisions 1 through to 5. 'The kids really start understanding the sport,' Green said of Division 1. At the ages of seven and eight, the players are learning the sport in school as well. 'They are taught the basics in school,' he said, ' then they learn to pass and work as a team.' Having come to Flin Flon from England, Green says soccer is as popular in his native land as hockey is here. 'Everyone owns a soccer ball,' he said. 'I didn't really play much soccer as a kid. I just played with my friends. There were no teams, just friends in fields.' Having brought his soccer knowledge to Flin Flon, Green says it is a great sport for children. 'It's about getting out there and having fun,' he said. 'It's a relaxed, enjoyable environment.' Though there are playoffs at the end of the season, Green says there isn't the parental pressure that comes with many sports, like hockey. 'It's an unknown sport here, so it's just a fun activity,' said the president. Equal time Keeping the sport fun, equal play time is enforced from the BumbleBee Division through to Division 5. For the more competitive players, there are traveling teams in the area _ but they are not through the PLSC. Generally, parents create the teams for the soccer players who wish to travel to tournaments. The PLSC does, however, hold the insurance for the players to participate. Moving up from vice-president to president of the PLSC, Green says soccer is 'just a great sport' and he wanted to be involved. 'I think the kids get a lot out of it,' he said. 'It's a sport for everyone.' Besides the summer weather and being outside, Green says soccer offers a fun and relaxed environment for everyone. 'It's usually warm,' he joked, adding that during the first few weeks in May it's not uncommon to be playing in snow. The final registration for the 2012 season will be held tomorrow. Late registrations are available, with more information on the club's website.
