Minor soccer prepares for summer season

LEAMINGTON — Soccer balls will be kicked this summer after all.

Leamington Minor Soccer has announced that they will be holding a summer season of soccer starting July 12 at the local soccer pitch.

According to association Vice President Bob Rumble, they are looking forward to cautiously opening the season.

“It will be different, but we want the kids to have fun,” he said.

Rumble says that they are capping registration at 10 players per team and running six teams per division in the younger groups, while working with four teams per division in the older groups.

This allows a manageable number under the current and expected provincial COVID guidelines.

Online registration is now open through July 3 for all ages at leamingtonminorsoccer.com

The key differences between this season — besides the time of year — will be no kick-off or wind-up days, no formal team photos or medals, canteen services will be minimal and space will be limited due to capacity restrictions.

One adult per child can attend the field, with no siblings allowed in the U5 and U7 divisions. In the U9 division and up, officials will do their best to make it work, but caution parents to be prepared to watch from their vehicles.

According to Rumble, things could change as restrictions are lifted further with Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen Ontario, but for now, they must follow the rules.

“We are asking parents to be patient,” he said. “We are doing our best to get your kids on the field.”