New regional soccer association created

Details

Published on Friday, January 19, 2018

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

Youth soccer across the Westman region will have a dramatically different look to it in 2018. Earlier this week, the local governing bodies in Brandon, Neepawa, Minnedosa and Rivers approved amalgamating into the newly created Westman Regional Soccer Association (WRSA). Discussions on this partnership have been going for five years, as the Manitoba Soccer Association worked to further develop soccer in all parts of the province. This is the first regional governing body of its kind for soccer in Manitoba. 

The inaugural WRSA Board of Directors will be made up of five members from the various communities served: Kim Smith of Neepawa, Wes Barrett and Meagan Ferguson of Minnedosa and Alexander Cruz and Bobbi Schram of Brandon. 

Ferguson, who will also serve as the Association’s president, said that the WRSA should greatly assist in improving soccer development and operations for the entire area.

“The need for the regional association is to unify our current four communities and better use our time and resources working towards a common goal. That common goal is quality soccer opportunities and programs for all levels and ages within the region,” stated Ferguson. “This new structure will help to improve the game by making it more accessible to all communities and equitable between the communities.”

The WRSA also announced that it has hired Jesse Roziere as its technical director. Roziere will be responsible for the technical investment in WRSA’s player base, with emphasis on youth player development. 

“I am thrilled to be a part of this very critical step forward for soccer in the Westman region, and am more than excited to get started with the WRSA,” noted Roziere. “A regional soccer association will benefit all players and future players in local youth programs.”