The Bracebridge Soccer Club is pleased to host its fourth annual 2004 Youth Soccer Tournament, this year being held as the Muskoka Early Summer 2004 Tournament on Saturday, June 12th and Sunday 13th, 2004. 

 The tournament will include mini soccer, for both boys and girls teams in the U10-U11 age groups. They will play 7 vs 7 mini soccer. Teams may register and dress a maximum of 14 players. There is a guaranteed three game minimum.

 There will also be full field soccer, of course, for boys and girls in the U12-U18 age groups. These teams will play 11 vs 11 full field format. Teams may register and dress a maximum of 18 players. There is a guaranteed three game minimum.

  All divisions will have a championship game on Sunday, and there will be awards for both teams in the finals.

 All players must be registered with their respective clubs and provincial association. Team registration rosters must be verified and signed by your club’s registrar. Proof of age must be provided at registration and be available on game days in case of any challenge. All teams traveling outside of their home district to attend the tournament will be required to provide proof of permission to travel from their district.

 There is an entry fee per team, and the registration deadline is May 31st, 2004.

 They look forward to seeing you there!

The origin of a minor soccer program in Bracebridge can be traced back to 1975, when a high school teacher convinced a couple of university students to coach a newly formed boys soccer team. That first summer, the new team ventured as far as Gravenhurst to play games.

  Soccer had first been introduced to the community through the high school physical education program some years earlier, and it was a group of teachers that spearheaded the formation of the initial minor soccer organization, and developed a solid house league program for the youth of the community during the 1980’s.

  The surge in popularity of soccer began to really take hold in Bracebridge over the past five years. In 1995, there were 228 players registered in Bracebridge Minor Soccer. With an increased emphasis on promoting the game and developing a strong coaching program, the numbers grew dramatically, surpassing 500 players by 1997. Not surprisingly, the availability of adequate soccer fields was lagging behind the demand.

  In 1999, the addition of two new fields, at a temporary location, allowed soccer to continue to grow. Almost 700 children registered in the House League program, and an additional 125 young people played on 8 competitive teams playing in the Simcoe County League. With the competitive and recreational adult teams, there were close to 900 players in Bracebridge Soccer programs this past year.

  Changes being made for the 2004 season involve a change in the format of the House League program. Instead of running twice a week from the beginning of May until the end of June, the 2004 House League program will now start the week of May 17^th. Each age division will play one night a week, and the program will run until the season-ending jamboree on August 7^th. 

  For more information please visit the Bracebridge Soccer website at www.bracebridgesoccer.net.