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

In National All-Star Competition it is quite evident that the top four provinces of Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario continue to dominate. Again in 2003 these four provinces have accounted for all twelve medals in National play. New Brunswick has continued to opt out of this competition because the reality is we, the remaining six provinces are not on par with the Big Four. Until the Canadian Soccer Association realizes that Canadian minor soccer has to be divided into a two-tier system, the results and the embarrassment from this competition will continue. Here is the list of National U-15 and U-17 All-Star tournaments that Newfoundland and Labrador has taken part in this summer:

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