Laval Regional Soccer Association's 30th season to focus on sportsmanship and fair play

The numbers are impressive. This summer it is estimated that well over 12,000 boys and girls will get their kicks at the world's most beautiful game at various fields set aside for them and their leagues on Laval island, the total representing another record year, eclipsing last year's 12,002 registrations. The 2008 season saw an increase of over 500 players over the 11,486 who played in 2007.

Pierre Marchand, the major force behind soccer in Laval, took the opportunity to underscore the ARS's 30th season at a recent press conference announcing Quebec's 11th Annual Soccer Week (June 1 – 7). Speaking at the jewel of Laval Soccer installations – the Bois-de-Boulogne Sports Complex – Mr. Marchand said he was thrilled to see so much interest from young people in playing soccer. "I'm very happy to see the tremendous passion shown by our young people for the game. The sport is the healthiest it's ever been. We'll surpass last year's record number of registrations," the ARS de Laval president stated.

"The development of players within a well-structured framework is high priority," Mr. Marchand added, noting that all member-associations of ARS de Laval have taken measures to set up their own individual technical (development) departments. "It's a step in the right direction," he specified.

The program will make it much easier for all parts of the system (coaches, officials, managers, and others) to input information at a much faster clip. Declaring it a major change in the way each individual league is expected to operate, the ARS de Laval is counting on all coaches, referees, referees-in-chief, team managers and league administrators to fully cooperate with the new system.

To this end, a plan of action is already in place. Greater attention will be paid to not only improved training and development of field officials but also to sportsmanship and fair play. The goal of ARS de Laval wants to recruit, train, and retain its referees. More time will be devoted to supervision of officials, to new on-the-job-training sessions, and to more effective ways and means of paying referees faster.

As to the development of sportsmanship and fair play, each team and league has effective ways of ensuring that young people are given a level playing field. At regional events, ARS de Laval will be yellow-carding parents to sensitize them to the beneficial effects of fair play for all concerned.

"We lose about 40% of our referees each year. We want to improve on the return rate in 2010, so this year we will provide better training and development through increased supervision of the work performed by these young people," Pierre Marchand explained. "We depend on the support of coaches and parents to help the young officials. We want to lessen the number of violent gestures coming from the stands. Parents are part of the solution."