There may once again be two soccer associations in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, pending a decision from the Alouette District Youth Soccer Association and B.C. Soccer.
Albion FC is the name of the proposed new soccer association, which would join the West Coast Auto Group FC as an option for soccer players in the area.
Jason Bermudez is on the coaching staff for Albion FC, which already has some 200 players registered for September, at age groups ranging from U5 to U17.
What’s more, with the number of hits that the Albion FC Facebook page gets – a new post will be read 800 times in a matter of days – the new organizers believe there is signigicant interest from more players.
“People want another option,” he said. “It will skyrocket if we are approved.”
He said parents will be attracted to a more affordable option.
“Our emphasis is on coaching – we will have eight to 10 guys who are very qualified.”
He said the club is generally appealing to kids in the eastern part of the district – many of them were with the former Golden Ears club, which amalgamated with Pitt Meadows to form thew WCAGFC two seasons ago.
John Sneddon, who was with the Golden Ears club, is the technical director for Albion FC, and Mike Smith is the president.
“Everybody we have is a volunteer – nobody gets paid,” said Bermudez, although that could be revisited in the future, he said.
He said the club was born as a grassroots movement. Some of the coaches who are involved did not join WCAGFC, and following the merger they were frequently asked by parents to start up an alternative club.
“We’re inundated by parents.” he said. “They want another option.”
Albion FC expects to learn whether it gets official sanctioning in the near future.