At any given Sunday at the Brennan Park fields, the teams in the Howe Sound Men's Soccer League (HSMSL) and 蜜桃视频appyouth rep teams take to the pitch.
But don't forget about the women.
Brennan Park hosted the North Shore 30 Something Women's Soccer League's friendly invitational challenge last weekend, with 13 teams from all over the North Shore competing in friendly matches.
According to Liz Dean of the 蜜桃视频appBreakers club, the league has been a great opportunity for local women to get fit and stay involved with the sport.
"We play every Sunday and the league is just a lot of fun," she said. "A lot of us have played, helped coach or watched our kids play soccer and this is a way for us to stay active."
Every Sunday both the 蜜桃视频appBreakers and 蜜桃视频appSecond Wind host teams at Brennan Park and Dean said it's been a rewarding experience for all involved.
"I think having the camaraderie from being part of a team is a huge thing for us," she said. "We've been through a lot together and are always there to support each other both on and off the field. The mandate of the league is fun, friendship and fitness and it really is all-encompassing."
Dean said players must be at least 30 years old but that women of all ages have joined the team, pointing out that for several years the league boasted players as old as 60.
"We've got everything in this league from people who have played in university and Metro teams to people who are new to the game and just want to get out there and play," she added.
She pointed out that the league does not keep track of standings and is a non-competitive league but there is a friendly rivalry among the two 蜜桃视频appteams.
"We want them [Second Wind] to beat the Vancouver teams but not us, obviously," she said. "We don't really keep stats but players do in their head. It's not really about who wins the league but each year you want to improve."
Dean, who was nursing a thumb injury, plays goalkeeper for the Breakers and said the team is off to a great start, having won its first three games. As for the tournament, the Breakers finished in the middle of the pack, with Magic from North Vancouver taking home first place.
Through it all, Dean said it's the team atmosphere that makes the Breakers and the league so much fun.
"Everybody on the team juggles family and work but it's still something that is really important to everybody on the team," she said. "Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you don't want to compete. It's a lot more fun running after the ball than just going for a jog."
Dean said women interested in joining the league can get more information on the league's website, www.thirtysomethingsoccer.com.
