Trail Youth Soccer is the lucky recipient of a bounty of soccer balls thanks to a provincial health initiative and a few local walkers.
In an effort to improve the fitness of individuals and communities, Healthy Families BC’s initiated a walking challenge last month.
“They are encouraging people in various communities to submit their favourite walking trail or experience with walking in their communities,” said Sandy Luccini, deputy administrator for the City of Trail.
Anyone can go to the website, find their city and submit their favourite walk. Once entered the community or individual has an opportunity to win a variety of prizes.
Thanks to submissions from locals that describe and map out trails in Glenmerry, Sunningdale and downtown Trail, the city won the week two draw of 50 soccer balls.
“We don’t know who entered, but somebody did and we won,” said Trail city councilor Bob Cacchioni. “The major story is that Trail Youth Soccer gets new soccer balls.”
Once the city was informed they decided Parks and Rec didn’t need that many soccer balls so they donated 40 of them to Trail’s Kootenay South Youth Soccer program., said Luccini.
For youth soccer, it’s a windfall of about $1,500, an expense they won’t have to worry about next year.
“It’s awesome, we were actually looking at our budget kind of wondering how we were going to replace some,” said Sid Compston, Trail director of Kootenay South Youth Soccer.
“This answers our question - period.”
Both the saved money and the extra balls will help the teams and the league significantly says Compston.
“Now we can actually give each child on the team a ball. This is going to allow the coaches to do more from a development point of view . . . for what we need for house and practice they’re perfect.”
The director was also soccer coordinator for the B.C. Senior Games and was at the opening ceremonies when Luccini gave him the good news.
“It was great, it’s exactly what we need . . . on behalf of youth soccer, thanks.”
People can download photos, videos, maps and stories to show how they move whether it’s a demanding hike, or a stroll down the sidewalk.
To submit your own favourite walk, go to www.healthyfamiliesbcwalkingchallenge.ca
The challenge continues until Sept.19.