Thousands of soccer players are gathering on fields across the province this week as the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association (NLSA) kicks off its 2020 season.
Competition in the youth, intermediate and senior levels are being held, as the province’s Phase 2 guidance allowed for play at the regional level.
The premiere youth league was the first off the mark, resuming play Wednesday. A total of 31 teams are entered in boys’ and girls’ under-13 and under-17 age divisions.
The first games took place Wednesday evening in the under-15 boys’ division featuring St. John’s Academy at Paradise and St. John’s Rep at Mount Pearl.
The four teams in Breen’s Jubilee Trophy senior women’s division will begin play Thursday, July 30, with Feildians hosting Conception Bay South at Feildian Grounds and defending champions Holy Cross playing St. John’s at King George V pitch.
The Challenge Cup senior men’s division is due to begin in August.
“It’s been a challenging year, and I want to thank those involved at all levels of the sport for their patience and support as we have worked to get to this stage,” NLSA president Doug Redmond said.
“We have taken a measured approach to returning to play, including having all clubs complete risk assessments at the return to train and return to play stages. We look forward to seeing some great competition again this year.”
Champions for the Jubilee Trophy, Challenge Trophy and provincial youth leagues will be declared on the Thanksgiving weekend.
