Phoenix FC leaves it all on the field

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This article was published 06/08/2019 (2584 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time in six years, two Winnipeg Phoenix FC soccer teams made it to the finals, both the U15 boys and U15 girls teams.  

The provincials were held July 6 and the finals on July 25 at the Waverley Soccer Complex.

Director of coaching at Winnipeg Phoenix FC for the last three years, James Silva was assisted by coaching staff Ryan Hodgsen, Mirel Oprea, Gio Blazevic, and Mark Rarog. Silva had the opportunity to coach both U15 boys and girls this season leading up to the provincial finals. The players responded well to the provincials and even through the nervousness, their commitment remained.

“Both played hard to the end,” Silva said. “The boys outplayed Bonivital but could not finish their chances and lost 2-0. The girls kept it close to the dying seconds with the same situation that they could not finish their chances. I am pleased overall with the effort of the teams and coaches. The boys have only lost one regular season game and the provincial final. The girls started off slow but have been climbing up slowly. The boys were selected to play in April in the Dallas Cup, one of the biggest international competitions out there and were able to see the next level to go to.”  

Most of the players have been together since they were six years of age. The culturally diverse teams do their various warm-up activities in more than half a dozen different languages — quite impressive and always fascinating for the coaches to witness.

The skills players develop through training are varied and include technical and tactical focus on dribbling, controlling the ball with different parts of the body, first touch, attacking and defending, and game awareness.

Winnipeg Phoenix FC has been undergoing a transformation of late, with a variety of changes and improvements being implemented. 

“We have a lot of great talent at our club and we are looking forward to the development of those players. We offer developmental programs such as Mini U4-U8 programs boys and girls. We have academy training sessions and intro to the indoor game of futsal (played on a hard gym surface with a smaller ball that doesn’t bounce so it helps players control and work on their foot skills). Winnipeg Phoenix FC also has avenues for players to go to high performance or university pathways,” Silva explained.

Winnipeg Phoenix FC was formed to provide soccer programs to residents of all ages in the northeast district of Winnipeg, and Oakbank. Programs help children stay active, have fun and work on team-building skills. Find out more about Winnipeg Phoenix FC programs and registration at www.phoenixsoccer.ca or on Twitter.

Janine LeGal
Wolseley community correspondent

Janine LeGal is a community correspondent for Wolseley. Know any interesting people, places and things in Wolseley?  Contact her at: janinelegal@gmail.com

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