Provincial and National Minor Soccer Results in 2003
Now that the competition for the Minor Provincial "A"
Tournaments has concluded I find it appalling that the Burin Peninsula
Soccer Association had only 1 team representing them out of a possible
8 age categories. The Provincial "A" tournaments are comprised of kids
that are regional All-Stars and failure to have more representatives from
our region indicates the direction of our soccer and explains why we are
falling short at a senior level. As well, in 2003 the BPSA will not be
having any club representative in the Provincial "B" tournaments. It is
becoming quite apparent that the Burin Peninsula Soccer Association are
breaking down in their endeavours to maintain or promote the game of soccer.
St. John's at a minor level is far superior and have, this season, won
seven out of a possible 8 provincial "A" tournaments. I am also shocked
to see Mount Pearl not having a team in the Under 18 Boys "A" Competition.
This does not look promising for their future either.
Here is the list of "A" tournaments that have been played
in Newfoundland and Labrador Minor Soccer this season:
Under 12 Boys "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By Paradise
Teams Entered: St. John's, Western, Avalon, Central,
and Mount Pearl
Final Results: St John's 4 vs. Western 0
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 12 Girls "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By Mount Pearl Teams Entered: St. John's and Mount
Pearl
Final Results: St. John's won best two out of three
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 14 Boys "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By Springdale
Teams Entered: St. John's, Mount Pearl, Central, Avalon,
BPSA
Final Results: St. John's 5 vs. Mount Pearl 0
Under 14 Girls "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By CBS
Teams Entered: St. John's, Avalon, Mount Pearl
Final Results: St. John's 5 vs. Avalon 0
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 16 Boys "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By St. John's
Teams Entered: St. John's, Mount Pearl,
Final Results: Mount Pearl 3 vs St. John's 0
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 16 Girls "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By St. John's
Teams Entered: St. John's, Mount Pearl
Final Results: St. John's won best two of three
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 18 Boys "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted By St. John's
Teams Entered: St. John's, Central, Labrador West, Western
Final Results: Champions St. John's
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
Under 18 Girls "A" Provincial Tournament
Hosted by Corner Brook
Teams Entered: St. John's, Corner Brook
Final Results: Champions St. John's
NO BURIN PENINSULA ENTRY
U-15/U-17 National All-Star Competition
Under 15 Boys All-Stars National Tournament
Hosted by Regina, Saskatchewan July 23-27, 2003
Newfoundland and Labrador Seeded: Last Place of 9 Teams
NL 0 vs. AB 7
NL 0 vs. QC 8
NL 6 vs. PEI 1
NL 4 vs. SK 5
NO NEW BRUNSWICK ENTRY
Under 17 Boys All-Star National Tournament
Hosted by Regina, Saskatchewan July 23-27, 2003
Newfoundland and Labrador Seeded: Last Place of 9 Teams
NL 0 vs. BC 9
NL 0 vs. QC 7
NL 3 vs. MB 2
NL 1 vs. PEI 3
NO NEW BRUNSWICK ENTRY
Under 15 Girls All-Star National Tournament
Hosted by Edmonton, Alberta July 23-27, 2003
Newfoundland and Labrador Seeded: 7th Place of 9 Teams
NL 1 vs. MB 1
NL 1 vs. ON 6
NL 1 vs. PEI 3
NL 2 vs. NS 0 NO NEW BRUNSWICK ENTRY
Under 17 Girls All-Star National Tournament
Hosted by Edmonton, Alberta July 23-27, 2003
Newfoundland and Labrador Seeded: 8th Place of 9 Teams
NL 1 vs. BC 4
NL 1 vs. SK 2
NL 4 vs. PEI 1
NL 0 vs. MB 2
NO NEW BRUNSWICK ENTRY
Further research indicates that the BPSA will be participating in the U-14 and U-12 Boys and Girls Mega-Tournaments and in two Provincial "C" tournaments. This is quite a drop from past years when we were considered the provincial hotbed of soccer.
Dunphy's Details: The controversy which surrounds
the red card issued to Jeremy Babstock and rescinded by the NLSA disciplinary
committee may be more of a reflection of the officials than of the player.
I think yellow cards that are issued in Round One of Challenge Cup Soccer
play should be automatically void upon the start of Round Two. I also feel
there are a number of referees that are involved in Challenge Cup competition
this year that should be automatically given a red card themselves with
their suspension far more greater than three games.
Certainly a more positive note in 2003 is the fact that
Ladies Soccer has resumed although the league is only comprised of St.
Lawrence and Marystown. This is presenting the ladies the opportunity to
compete at a Senior level.
Gord Dunphy is a former Challenge Cup 1990's All - Star coach of the St. Lawrence Laurentians and National Bronze Medallist. He can be reached by e-mail at gorddunphy@email.com