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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-09-20, Page 17don trd a t1N COU, pan belt, ncjl, 'Hut. 00 the •;,obtrjtjj. SIGNAL STAR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1973 SECOND SECTION er, rd n , /irect provj, vices ting, ed t 'red ation Moll on are d Va city 'Pur., :hority Pole' ation.. ed t, 'ark w at c Se ctive vas • hool Bou:: ing, Sch , Dream of a team • Goderich United Senior eigb is doing this sum - t the Intermediate hockey club did last winter in entering a team again after an absence of several years and becoming a major league title contender with ability, hustle and desire. Senior soccer in Goderich first came into existence in 1960 when the Goderich Athletic E squad under the guidance of Sandy Profit entered a Huron league composed of teams from Winthrop, St. Columban, I�rusls, Centralia and Clin wo years later the team me was changed . to Goderich uilding Centre adopted from its sponsor. In 1963, there were so many senior players in Goderich that it seemed possible to enter another team into the recently formed Huron League., Conklin Lumber an- swered the call for a sponsor and the new entry became final. As time passed, a combine team made up of Goderich and Winthrop players was formed and entered in the London league. This team had a suc- cessful first year placing -third in their division. The entry played under the name of the Goderich B.P. Rangers. Shortly after, senior soccer .seemed to fade in importance in the town and in 1968, Goderich dropped out of senior soccer competition. Interest, however, did not die with the withdrawal of the senior team. Prior Co this 1973 season, `a number of interested persons along with many .minor (continued on page 10A) L. 0 3 Photo Story by Rob KeIIsti n e An unidentified Goderich United player had. a near miss as the ball drifted wide of the St. Marys net and the sprawling goaltender. The Goderich team is currently tied for first place in the third division of,.the London and District Soccer League with -the London United team.London United plays In Goderich October 7. This could very weq decide first place In the division. United team captain Harold Refflinghaus brought honor to the community earlier pito whsn he was presented with the London and District Soccer League "Sportsman Ymr" award at a banquet held at the Bedford'Hotel. The awird is presented an - to the player, who best demonstrates sportsmanship on and off the field. (idderlch United Soccer star Harold R•fflinghaus In the background of the photo scores his second goal of the game in a recent match against St. Marys. Goderich won the con- test 5-0. Refflinghaus 1s currently the leading scorer In the London and District Soccer League. ;ED 150 s1 1 6 In recent years, the sport of soccer has begun to catch on and grow like wildfire, here in Canada. In Ontario alone, there are 50,000 boys registered in the province's minor soccer esociation. This represents an increase of 46,000 in' a span of only five years. The Town of Godeiwich currently has about 140 boys playing minor soccer. Most of the boys involved in soccer also play hockey during the winter. Goderich has always been a cornerstone in the building of minor soccer in Huron County. The centre and starting point of Goderich minor soccer' was St. Mary's Separate School where in the early 60's the local Knights of' Columbus first purchased uniforms to aid in the school's physical training program. The Legion Branch also "chipped" in to buy uniforms that year., Howevet, it was not until 1966 when the Lens Club and Kinsmen Clubs were per - waded to sponsor teams in a Goderich Minor Soccer League. T .,+o of the men ,Minor responsible in ..his lea lore SandySue formation and Stan Profit. This Goderich Minor Soccer League fed only until 1972 when it was forced - dissolve because of lack of support. Not alY was the fan support poor, but coaches lotted to lose interest as well. At this time, player interest was high as *most of the area schc is were incorporating Weer into their school athletic programs. While the Goderich minor soccer dam staggered, Grand Bend and minor leagues were thriving but lick,. of communication and co-ordihation mitten towns failed to reveal this. 84t„Ooderich was not willin to drop out 7 %into soccer completely due tothe k mtnatidn of Kaz Budny. and John I* who' organized bantm and pee- ihms which played several exhibition m that 1972 season. .1:lady October. 197 2 of Kaz Budn a delegation con - III °to to y and Ron Shaw Went pa,t Ahold discussions with the On- ssociation in regards to the km of a Huron Min* Soccer Association which could affiliate with the provincial group. It was learned at this meeting that the affiliatioi1s must be achieved through the London and District Soccer League. Over the winter, the Huron Association appoin- ted a temporary executive to get them moving. Heading the executive was Sandy Profit Ineatind 'row) !Novo Alton, Tom Crawford, On Brown, Roe Pruder, Rudy + , Brian Rumlg fond Gerd Risher; (back row) Dan Baker, OM White, Rye VSIS td, Kevin Iha>r ig and take Tafelt. Mascot Leo Arbour Is Means W. hent et ittansgar Mae lfroornan. as president and Dr. Michael Conlon as vice-president. Last March in elections held at the Bedford Hotel here in Goderich, the 1973 official executive was installed. President of the Association is Dr. John Underwood of Seaforth while second vice president is Dick Eisler of Goderich. Other officers are .Kaz Budny of Goderich, secretary and Dave Zyluk, treasurer with his wife Victoria as registrar. Community representatives were appointed later on to ensure that each area involved had a spokesman. The'current Huron Minor Soc- cer Association consists of Goderich, Seaforth, Clinton, Huron Park, Exeter and Grand Bend. The -Goderich Minor Soccer Association broken down consists of a Bantam team coached by Merv' Witter and sponsored by the ,Goderich Police Department; a Pee - Wee team coached ' by. Barry Buchanan; two Mosquito teams one coached by Sid Allen and one by Mike Moriarity; two Atom teams coached by Tom Hod and Allan Slater and a Squirt team coached by Jim Slater. In the Huron Minor Association, an estimatea 800 boys are taking- part this season, not to mention many parents and fans who have helped in running the various teams. It is hoped that in the near future (by Huron Minor officials) a Huron Soccer Association senior loop can be formed to provide a competition that graduates of the 4 minor system can enter wht*n they are over age. All of the games are officiated under FIFA rules(Federation of International Football Association). FIFA currently has 144 teams registered which is eight more than the United Nations. Huron Minot Soccer Association is about to complete its first year of operation and is deemed 'by officals as bei'hg quite suc- cessful. Kaz Budny who deserves rgreat deal of the credit for the success•'sumrned up the views of other officials when he stated, "Our association is going to be around for a long time".