If a blood pressure cuff could be slipped around the arm of the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League, the test result would show that the men's game in Prince George is back at perfect health.
By the end of last season, the league had two major concerns -- a declining number of teams in Division 1 and a lack of parity. Some clubs were rich with talent and others were in the poorhouse, so blowouts were all too common. Prior to this season's kickoff, changes were made to address the troubling issues and the tweaks have had the desired effect.
"Everybody involved thinks it has been a success," said league registrar and referee Glen Thompson.
"I don't think we could have asked for anything better."
One of the biggest changes in the NCSSL was moving away from a Division 1 and Division 2 format where skill level and player preference determined whether a player suited up in the top division or second division, and which team he played for. Now, age is a deciding factor. Players either run the pitch in the Open Division or the 30+ Division. With the adjustment, the NCSSL's most competitive grouping has gone from three teams at the conclusion of last season to a current count of seven men's teams and two youth squads.
The lack of parity in the top division, meanwhile, was solved by a new rule that permitted clubs to protect only seven players from 2011. The rest went into a draft, held in May, and more drafts have taken place since then. Now, the standings in the Open Division couldn't be tighter. Just six points separate first-place Mr. Jake's Steakhouse (4-2-2, 14 points) and the last-place Under-18 Kodiaks (2-3-2, 8 points). From another point of view, five teams have records that are .500 or better.
"Two wins and you can jump six spots in the standings," Thompson said. "The teams are happy with it. We've had two or three drafts since the season started so everything seems to be working out well. We'll have to sit down at the end of the season and see what we're going to do as far as protection of players for next year -- how many you can protect -- but we'll decide that at the end of the season."
In the 30+ Division, which features four teams, games have also been close. Eden Spas, which currently occupies first place, has a 5-3 record and last-place Assante United sits at 3-4.
The NCSSL also has a five-team 45+ Division and a four-team Recreational Division. In the 45+ group, Subway/Queensway Motel (7-1-1) and the RBC DS Gunners (5-2-1) are the top two clubs so far.
The league has been in a schedule break since June 27. Games resume on Monday with two contests in the Recreational Division.
