City floats trial summer soccer program

A test group was recently launched to gauge the interest of parents and players in running a soccer program for novice boys (ages 10 and under) in July and August, after the end of the traditional May-June season. “It seems strange to me that I have to drive my son to Villeray for summer soccer when there are great fields in Westmount that are sitting empty,” said Dr. Mark Roper, a Westmount physician and soccer dad who is spearheading the program.

Dr. Roper cited other municipalities, such as NDG, that run both select and house leagues during the summer.

The biggest obstacle to launching summer soccer is numbers. At the first call for players in July, about 30 showed up. Last Thursday, about 15 players were on hand. This could owe to the Westmount tradition of disappearing for the summer, whether to the cottage or on trips, or sending the kids to camp. But Dr. Roper is encouraged by the turnout and by the changing lifestyles of Westmounters. “Thirty or forty years ago, there were not many kids around during the summer,” he said. “But now, with double-income families and limited vacation time, it seems that there are more kids in town during the summer than before.”

While Dr. Roper and a handful of parents have handled the summer soccer initiative, the City of Westmount has been assisting any way it can. “When parents ask for something, as a community organization we do our best to accommodate it,” said Andrew Maislin, a sports coordinator with the City's Sports & Recreation Department.

Maislin is providing logistical support by organizing email lists, reserving field times, and providing equipment.

Whether the City actually offers the program next summer will depend on how well the current trial period goes. This fall, Maislin, Sports & Rec director Mike Deegan and Dr. Roper will evaluate the trial period as they gauge interest for next summer. “If there is enthusiasm for the program and we have the possibility to do it, I’m more than happy to put the time in,” Maislin said.

The goal is to have both a competitive and house league team in Westmount next summer, with friendly matches occurring against other municipalities. “Just having a house league team would be an achievement,” said Dr. Roper.

And of course, it would get Westmount’s future stars more time on the pitch.

For those interested, there will be Double A soccer game between Westmount and Pierrefonds, as well as pick-up soccer game in Westmount Park on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.