Soccer in Sylvan Lake has deep roots that have run through many young athletes’ lives.
This year, the Sylvan Lake Blizzard Soccer Club (SLBSC) is celebrating its 25 year as an incorporated non-profit organization.
However, the club is actually quite a bit older than 25 years. In 1987, Tom Harrison was the first President of the Sylvan Lake Soccer Association.
Harrison had the role as President until 1990 when he got transferred for work, and unfortunately, the program ceased to exist for the next couple of years with no succession in leadership.
In 1992 the Town of Sylvan Lake started a soccer program and asked Dan Schultz to lend a hand; he served as President from 1993 to 1996.
He was integral in the Club being placed into the Central Alberta Soccer Association (CASA), which governed minor soccer from Ponoka to Stettler, Rocky, and Innisfail.
Participation in these early years rose from approximately 80 players to over 320 by 1996. Then, from 1996 until 2002, the Club saw several significant changes.
Player participation grew to over 500 youth, the Club became incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2001, and underwent a name change to become the Sylvan Lake Blizzard Soccer Club in 2004.
Over the years, many dedicated families and volunteers have graciously given countless hours of their time.
While it is hard to name everyone individually, please know that without those who laid a strong foundation, the Club would not have continued success in building enthusiasm for the sport.
Growing up playing the game in Sylvan Lake, and sharing the love of the game with her father, Dan Schultz, Amber Simcoe started volunteering with the SLBSC a few years ago as a Coordinator, then joined the Board of Directors, and now has been coaching since the fall of 2024.
“This spring, I am on three benches as a Coach: the U13 Tier IV team, my youngest son’s U13 Tier III team, and my oldest son’s U15 Tier IV team. One of my favourite things is watching the growth in the players from the start of the season to the end."
"Our daughter is experiencing her first season this spring as a U7 Girls player, and a goal I have is to see her age group develop into an all-girls competitive team.”
The SLBSC wouldn't be able to continue to thrive without the dedicated volunteers who bring not only their love of soccer to the field but also their vast knowledge of the game.
"The SLBC has passionate leadership, and the Club’s members are an extension of the fantastic Alberta soccer community. After forging friendships with members of the soccer community around Alberta, I am happy to continue to make those relationships here in Sylvan Lake, too," Coach and Board of Directors member Jon Worth said.
"The Club offers a truly welcoming and supportive environment with a focus on the growth and development of players, programs, and coaches. I’m blessed to have an amazing network of coach developers who continue to support me, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring that experience as a coach to the SLBSC."
With the spring season coming to an end, the Recreational League teams celebrated by having a full-day tournament on June 21 at Leader Field.
Now that the spring season has come to a close, SLBSC is looking to the bright future and the construction of soccer fields in Pogadl Park.
The new fields will allow the SLBSC to branch out within the Alberta soccer community, providing a space to host tournaments, including Provincials in collaboration with the Town of Sylvan Lake, and possibly the opportunity to start offering an adult league.
The goal of the current President and Technical Director, Kevin Breitkreutz, is to keep creating safe community-based programs that are fun, provide long-term player development in keeping with Canada Soccer's grassroots standards, and cultivate a lifelong passion for the game.
“There is no losing, you are either winning or learning,” Breitkreutz said.
Individuals wanting to learn more about the SLBSC and the upcoming indoor season can visit the website, www.sylvanlakesoccer.ca
