In the interests of long-term health, the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League has reinvented itself for the 2012 season.
The league has dropped the practice of forming its top two divisions based on skill level and individual player preference and has gone to an age-based alignment. Out are Division 1 and Division 2. In are the Open Division and 30+ Division.
As well, the former Masters Division has become the 45+ Division.
In the past few seasons especially, certain Division 1 teams were becoming loaded with skill, while others were starving for it. Frustrations about lopsided scores and other issues started driving players away.
In 2011, the division started its schedule with just four senior teams and a Prince George Youth Soccer Association Under-18 all-star club. The U-18s only played half the year and another team, last-place Accelerated Physiotherapy, dropped out with a few weeks left in the season because not enough players were showing up for games.
To bring the number of teams back up and to create some parity, changes had to be made. League registrar Glen Thompson said the new-look NCSSL has been received well by the players.
"We haven't had one negative comment," Thompson said. "Everybody seems to be rejuvenated and rebuilding their teams. It has spread the talent around the league more."
The Open Division features seven senior teams and two PGYSA all-star squads. In the division, teams were allowed to protect only seven players from last year. The rest went into a draft, held late last week.
Brian McLaughlin, a centre midfielder for Mr. Jake's Steakhouse of the Open Division, said the restructuring was absolutely necessary.
"We needed it," he said during a weekend icebreaker tournament at the NCSSL fields. "By the end of [last season] we ended up playing the same two teams every week so this is a great idea and the draft process went really well. We've all ended up with evenly-distributed teams talent-wise. It should be a good system."
Another important change in the NCSSL's top division this season involves the dispersal of UNBC varsity players. This year, no team is allowed to have more than three Northern Timberwolves on its roster. Last season, the dominant club was Formula United and it had the majority of UNBC's players.
"Now they are split over the map," McLaughlin said. "I think the changes are going to improve the league drastically."
There will be no inter-divisional play. The first Open Division games are scheduled for the night of May 25 when Mr. Jake's takes on Silent Cabinets FC and Caribou Brewmasters kicks against Global Securities.
The 30+ Division has four teams and will begin its schedule on May 23 when Assante United FC and Queensway Auto World square off.
In the 45+ Division, five teams will run the pitch. Games will start May 23, with Subway/Queensway Motel facing NT Air and the Edward Jones Caledonians battling the RBC DS Gunners.
The NCSSL also has a four-team Recreational Division. All four will be in action tonight, starting at 6:30.
The Prince George Women's Soccer Association held a draft on May 6 and is gearing up for the spring portion of its schedule. Games will kick off on May 22.
