Busy Week at Lochside

Another week of progress on the Turf Field. We're pretty much on schedule and still looking good for September 27th kick-off!

Last saturday 25 truckloads of gravel base were delivered and graded and several volunteers hand dug a 75 foot silt-fence running parallel to the creek. After the hard work the volunteers were provided with burgers, drinks and fresh fruit for their efforts. We've also been supplying the truckers with drinks, donuts and burgers. Most of the truck drivers are donating their time so they're appreciative of the club's efforts.

Monday attention tuned toward completion of the concrete retaining wall on the west side of the field. Wednesday saw the removal of topsoil and vegetation from the east and south sides of the field in preparation for the concrete mowing strip and fencing, and on Thursday the south end concrete retaining wall was poured and trees removed that interfered with the western retaining wall and manhole covers.

Thursday also saw a slight change to the field plans, as we decided to keep a shallow triangular piece at the south end for spectators so that they can watch small-sided games (see picture above).

BC Summer Games Team

Good luck to the Zone 6 U12 Girls in the BC Summer Games being held this weekend in Kelowna.

Zone 6 represents the Island and Central Coast and there are a number of local players including Monique (Lakehill), and Chloe, Sydney and Alynn (Peninsula). Of course our own Paige was one of the alternates and by all accounts was desperately unlucky not to make the final squad.

Zone 6 has two games Saturday against Vancouver-Squamish and Fraser River-Delta, followed by one game against the Kootenay representative. The final is played on Monday.

Game results are available here

http://www.kelowna2008.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=34

Turf Update #3

As you can see from the first picture, Lochside still resembles a beach.

However plenty of work has been completed and the project remains on-schedule. The topsoil has been removed, new underground drainage has been installed and manhole covers placed just outside the fence-line. In addition, electrical conduits have been built to allow for increased amperage to the existing lights as well as for a new light standard at the southeast corner of the park.

Concrete forms have been prepared for the north side of the field. Forms for the west side will be completed Thursday and then on Saturday comes 250 tonnes of gravel base.

Argentina Coach

This past week Emma and Erin attended a World Cup Academy Summer Camp where the guest coach was Jorge Raffo, a renowned Argentinian coach who runs a prestigious (and unique) youth soccer academy in Buenos Aires (http://www.cefar.com.ar/en_index.php)

His academy ("CEFAR") is affiliated with Barcelona CF, one of the largest and most succesful soccer clubs in the world. Each year "Barca" (as they are known to their fans) pays Jorge to find and train the best 10-16 year old boys from around South America. Often, they come to live with him at his hotel and training facility (click link for pictures). His teams play friendly matches against the biggest professional club youth teams (e.g. Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente) from around Buenos Aires (pop. 13,000,00) and they routinely defeat these teams. Once his boys are old enough to sign professionally, the best go to Barcelona in Spain, while many others continue to play in Argentina professional futbol.

I'm not sure how much the girls soaked in, but I was hugely impressed with Jorge and his passion for futbol, to say nothing of his soccer knowledge and teaching ability. His drills were at once complex and simple, and focused on ball possession, quick passing and movement off the ball. He was a very hard coach with high expectations but I think all 50 or 60 players will long remember his sessions. Hopefully he'll be back next year!

We will see alot of Jorge's drills this fall as Brett and Steph intend on incorporating much of Jorge's Argentinian-style for our club.

Girls Only Soccer Camp - Aug 11-15

I strongly recommend this camp to any Gold-calibre players who want to get ready for the upcoming season. Consider it a mini boot-camp. I expect there will be a strong fitness component and a lot of ball-work (passing and receiving the ball, movement, quick tempo decision making) so anyone considering registering should be prepared to work hard.

I know 3 or 4 Storm players have already registered but the more the better.

Turf Project - Day 5

Taking down the fence wasn't as easy as expected. That's me battling the fence - and losing.

Note the guy with the axe. I'm happy to report there were no casualties.

The fencing is down and vegetation removed. Next up - chopping down some trees! But before that someone should really close that gate - we wouldn't want the deer getting in would we?

Wow, people weren't kidding when they referred to Lochside Park as "The Beach"!

We ask strikers to run in "the channels" but this is crazy!

Turf Project - Day 2

Day 2 and the digging has begun. A grader spent most of this morning removing the top 8 inches of topsoil and this afternoon dump trucks began hauling the dirt off to a construction site. We dont pay for the dirt removal because construction companies need it for projects around Victoria. So we get the labour free, and the companies don't have to pay for topsoil!

This weekend we will start hauling in crushed gravel for the drainage ditches. After all is said and done we'll have raised the base of the far field 4 inches higher than the middle field.

Turf Update

Work on installation of the new artificial turf field at Lochside Park begins this Wednesday.

The club is looking for adult volunteers to help clear vegetation along the east and south fence lines. If you look hard enough at the picture above you can see the weeds growing through the fence.

So if you have a couple of hours to spare and are looking for a good work-out, bring your weed-whacker, shovel, axe, wheelbarrow or garden shears down to the park Friday July 18, 5-9pm or anytime Saturday July 19 between 9am-6pm.

We'll supply the pizza and refreshments if you can supply the labour!

More information will be posted on the club website or contact Drew.