The Niverville Force is back on the pitch for their third regular season in the Manitoba Major Soccer League.
According to head coach Andry Giesbrecht, the team had a slow start, dropping three of the first four games. Since then, however, the Force have won six straight matches and now sit at the top of their table.
The next few games will be vital as the Force play teams clustered around them in the standings.
“As of right now, the Force have the best attack in the division, scoring 38 goals in 10 games and playing really fast, entertaining soccer,” says Giesbrecht.
The season so far has seen multiple injuries, including some that have proved to be season-ending. While this is unfortunate for individual players and the team as a whole, Giesbrecht explains that the injuries have not affected the high-calibre of play.
“Due to the depth of the squad, [the injuries] haven’t really affected the team or the performance,” he says. “That is due to the quality and hard work that each player brings to the team on a weekly basis.”
The Force also features five new players this season, although some of them had already joined the team for their indoor games during the winter. Giesbrecht says that these new arrivals have made big contributions so far to the team’s success.
The squad’s fans may also be part of the team’s success. Force co-owner and team manager Sue Thompson says that their fanbase is incredible.
“We have fans that come from all over, that are dedicated, and we love that,” says Thompson. “We really feel like that we are a big family. Our home games average 100 spectators and even our away games average 20 or more.”
Giesbrecht believes this to be the best fan turnout throughout the league.
Thompson also gives credit to the team’s sponsors. “Our sponsors are very dedicated. Most have been supporting us since day one. We are definitely blessed!”
For the second year in a row, the Niverville Force will host a golf tournament later this summer.
“Last year, we held our first golf tournament,” Thompson says. “It was a ton of fun but didn’t raise any money for the team. This year, we are putting it out there for our Force players and for anyone that wants to support the team.”
The tournament will be held at the Maplewood Golf Club near St. Pierre-Jolys on Friday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m. For an entrance fee of $95, participants will have their golf fees and cart rentals covered and be given a burger and drink ticket. Prizes will also be available.
Those interested in playing in the tournament can join as a single player and be placed on a team or enter as a complete team.
Giesbrecht would like to encourage youth soccer players throughout the region to show up at Force games to see if they might have a future on the team.
“Anyone that is looking to take that next step and play a good level of competitive soccer, maybe there is a spot for them in the future,” he says.
Even younger players are welcome, too. Giesbrecht is running a volunteer soccer program for U7 boys all summer on Tuesday evenings. He is grateful for the volunteer participation of many players from the current Force team.
“I’d like to thank those players that are volunteering and helping to give back to the community and the kids,” he shares.
So far, between 25 and 35 kids have been showing up each week. Giesbrecht says he is excited to teach these young enthusiasts more about the game.
