This group has used a variety of names such as Oldtimers, Co-ed Masters, and Motrin 500's. The term Masters is used in southern Canada for this age group. Last summer one team in the Mens League was designated as an oldtimers team which caused confusion.

There has been a need for a Masters Soccer group in Whitehorse for some time. This can not only provide recreation for those desiring less intensity than the Mens and Womens Leagues, but it can also give older people, who never played soccer as youths, the chance to start in a positive environment. The group can give minor soccer coaches, who never played, some game experience which will improve their coaching. In other centres, adults who begin playing with an older group, and gain familiarity with the game, often then have the confidence to volunteer to become youth coaches. A Masters group can strengthen many aspects of soccer in a community.

Throughout the winter of 1997-98 Doug Hitch conducted discussions with Angelique Bernard about including an oldtimers team in the schedule of the Womens League which had 5 teams in 1997. After a recruitment drive in early spring of 1998, a group of over-35 men and women wearing black t-shirts began playing exhibition games against teams from the Womens League. These games were part of the Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Between 16 and 20 players paid YSA membership and insurance fees. Paula has the exact numbers.

The atmosphere in these exhibition games was informal and less competitive than in league games. Teams often exchanged players to make up player deficit or to add some strength if there was a serious imbalance. The Masters and the Women look forward to a repeat in 1999.

The Masters took on the responsibility of keeping the George White field lined, and paying for the paint, which assisted the activities of Whitehorse Minor Soccer and others. Exhibition games were held, mostly on Sundays, against several rep teams: U-15 Zuccarini, U-15 Banditos, U-13 Boys, U-17 girls.

At the end of the season the Masters kept meeting informally Tuesdays and Thursdays at George White field for pick up games and were joined by remnants of the Womens teams and others.

With the equinox, the Masters switched to indoor soccer. We play Wednesdays, 8 pm at Vanier Small gym and Sundays, 7 pm at Selkirk. We use unique rules, based on those developed by another group which has been playing in Vanier for about a decade. No goalies. Nets lying down so there is a small opening. Four players aside. Ball may strike ceiling or walls with no stoppage in play. Ball may go backwards on kick off. Shots on goal must be taken inside the badminton court line. Game to 6 goals. Change ends at 3 goals. Shuffle players into new teams for each game.

We hope the Masters can become a permanent, year-round feature of the community. As interest grows we could form a league of our own and engage in exchanges or tournaments.

Masters' Home    Soccer Umbrella

posted 19 March 1999