The Niverville Force, a local team playing in the Manitoba Major Soccer League, has just completed its inaugural season—and according to coach Andry Giesbrecht, it has been a tremendous success.
The Force competed in the league’s third division, finishing in first place. They placed second overall in the league.
Giesbrecht points out that the team’s record after the regular season is what matters most.
“The playoffs are just extra games,” he says. “Of course you want to win, but they do not have the significance that league games have.”
He attributes the team’s success to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. He adds that the Force were also lucky when it came to injuries, suffering only a few minor ones that didn’t cause any problems.
The team’s manager, Sue Thompson, is thrilled with the level of support the Force have received from the community in their first season. They averaged 150 spectators per game and 14 local companies chipped in to help cover the cost of kits, field rentals, and refs.
“If there was a prize for the best fans, we would have won it in all of MMSL,” Thompson says. “We felt truly blessed to be a part of this amazing community… The jersey kits are washed and ready for next year. If COVID doesn’t interfere, our season should start at the end of April with more home and away games to watch!”
The hope is that the team can complete a full season next year of 18 regular league games.
Giesbrecht says that the team has a solid core group of local players, but they will be looking to add more players in the near future.
“We are most definitely going to be looking to add some quality players as we work to build a team that can be competitive and move us to a higher level,” says Giesbrecht. “Tryouts will most likely be happening during spring training.”
As for Thompson, she shares that she couldn’t be more proud of the team.
“There are teams out there that have worked together for years to get to where they are,” Thompson says. “We ended on top with just months of working together. I can’t imagine where the Force will be in a few years.”
Giesbrecht feels that Thompson herself has been integral to the success of the team. He’s also proud of the players for their commitment and dedication.
Finally, he adds a note of appreciation to the team’s sponsors.
“Without them,” he says, “this would not be possible.”
