The Prince George Youth Soccer Association marked the end of the first half of the house league season with a party under the on the pitch.
Hundreds of PGYSA soccer players gathered at the Rotary Park fields on a sunny Saturday and Sunday for games on the pitch, face-painting, balloons, bouncy castle fun and mingling with friends and teammates during the annual PGYSA Active Start Soccer Festival. Members of the PGYSA select teams volunteered their time to help out, while some of them played exhibition games against out-of-town teams who were looking for a little competition before the provincial tournaments get underway July 4-7.
Grant Emmond, interim president of the PGYSA until the annual general meeting is held in the fall, said the weekend is meant to signify the midseason wrap up for all the house league teams.
"It's always nice when the day is like today when it's so nice outside and everybody can get a bit of a suntan while they're enjoying soccer," said Emmond. "It's just a general celebration of soccer."
The PGYSA house league returns in September with three weeks of games.
Soccer games featured boys and girls from the under-three division to the U14 and U16 teams. For the youngest players the chance to run around was more important than the game.
"I like to play tag with the coach during warm up," said three-year-old Sophia Delorme while having her face-painted to resemble the Cat in the Hat.
A running total of all the goals scored in the dozens of games played during the two-day event - minus the select teams exhibition games - was kept for the annual score-a-than.
"Kids have gone out and got pledges for a certain amount of money per goal or a flat amount," said Emmond. "The money raised goes towards purchasing equipment and uniforms for kids who want to play soccer but can't afford it have a chance to come out an enjoy the sport. It's also for youth activities in the city in general."
Myah and Kali Lander raised $60 each in pledges for the cause. Myah chipped in a goal in her team's 3-3 tie, adding everyone should have an opportunity to play the game.
"Soccer is a good sport to play, it's really run and gives you good exercise," said the 10-year-old.
