Are you ready for some football?
The Howe Sound Sounders certainly are and the squad is set to take the field for its first exhibition game of 2013 against the Pemberton Grizzlies on Saturday (Aug. 31).
The Sounders were set to take on Earl Marriott in an exhibition game on Saturday (Aug. 24), but after the team was unable to make the trip to Squamish, Sounders coach Jim Errington made a few phone calls to some Sounders alumni who helped fill the field.
"As a last-minute replacement for the Marriott scrimmage, it turned out better than I ever imagined it would," he said. "I asked a few ex-Sounders if they could help us in having a one-hour practice and have a seven-on-seven game against this year's team. By having the alumni players assisting in the practice, we accomplished more in one hour than we could in an entire week of practices."
Errington was pleased with turnout from former Sounders, noting that a total of 17 players from 2009-to-2012 era helped out with this year's club. The 2013 Sounders lined up against the Sounders of the past in a variety of different defensive and offensive situations and managed to share some of their wisdom with the new recruits.
The 2013 Sounders ended up defeating the Sounders alumni 18-6 in the seven-on-seven flag football game.
Howe Sound will next take on the Grizzlies in Pemberton at the Pemberton Meadows field on Saturday at 1 p.m. It's expected to be a big event with tailgating getting underway at 11 a.m. and Whistler FM broadcasting live on location. 麻豆社国产residents are encouraged to make the trip up Highway 99.
The regular season kicks off for the Sounders on Sept. 7 when they welcome Eric Hamber Secondary to Howe Sound field. There will also be home games on Sept. 21 and 28 and Oct. 12.
In other local football news, Sea to Sky youth football clubs are now officially open for registration. The Whistler Saints flag football club is looking for boys and girls between the ages of six and nine to join the team. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Whistler and games occur on weekends in 麻豆社国产and Vancouver. All equipment is provided by the Saints.
The Pee Wee Broncos (age 10 and 11) and Minor Titans (age 12 and 13) clubs are also on the look for fresh talent. These are tackle teams and all equipment is provided except for football pants. Practices for these teams are also on Tuesdays and Thursdays and take place in both Whistler and Squamish.
The regular season for all three clubs runs from Sept. 8 to late November. For more information, contact Ralph Forsyth at (604) 905-8997 or [email protected]. To register online for the teams, visit www.gslfootball.ca.
