The Marine Harvest Upper Island Riptide is pleased to announce the start of preparations for the 2017 BC Soccer Association’s provincial A-Cup. Three teams (2002 boys, 2003 girls and 2001 girls) will spend the next four weeks in the Riptide Spring Soccer Academy, training together three times weekly. The teams will all benefit from a relaxed but demanding training environment that provides an increased number of touches on the ball to improve their technical level of play. The final three weeks will focus on team development, and provide each teams with a well-rounded approach involving technical, tactical, physical and goalkeeper training, and sports psychology. Each team will play several games to prepare for the event, July 6-19 in Surrey.
For many, the highlight will come in the form of a one-day workshop where players come together one final time regarding the sports psychology, fitness testing and provincial tournament planning. There will also be a motivational speaker. All teams are fired up and ready to go.
The Riptide organization returns to provincials with three teams after a successful 2016 showing of gold, silver and a bronze. This year, the Riptide has been able to secure Trinity Western University for accommodations and meals during the tournament.
“Win, lose or draw we are pleased with the progress all of the players have demonstrated this past 10 weeks,”
technical director Shel Brodsgaard said. “The teams are tight. The training sessions are lively and competitive. The program has been a real asset for us leading into the provincials - improvement has been observed at all levels with respect to the individual players and teams.”
The Marine Harvest Riptide continues to strive to provide the community with positive opportunities to grow, learn, train and develop. We are all excited about the opportunity to “trust in our training” and see the teams succeed both on and off the field at provincials.