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Flashback – Norm Kelly

Norm Kelly began his soccer career in 1956 at the age of 17. His career was one to be respected by many as he dominated the game of soccer year after year.

He was an invaluable member of the St. Lawrence Soccer Team who was known for his ‘bullet’ shot and dominant play at midfield. Kelly is regarded by many as one of the top Laurentians of all time.

Norm was inducted into the St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982, the Burin Peninsula Soccer Hall of Fame in 1989, and the Newfoundland Soccer Hall of Fame in 1989 and, in 2003 he was inducted into Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame. Here are a few questions I asked Norm:

1. What is the biggest change in soccer you have seen in the last 50 years?

The biggest change I have seen in soccer in the past 50 years has to be the skill and fitness of the young players. It seems with the improvements to the regulation size soccer fields, the players have a lot more room to move about with greater ball control and accuracy, thus exercising their skills, speed and knowledge of the game.The small fields created congestion and therefore allowed the game to be very chippy.

The Eastern Representative of CSFA, Jim Andrews, who has held that position for the past 13 years, predicts bigger fields are needed to boost soccer calibre. These fields are a must for every soccer-playing town in the province in order for the standard of soccer to improve.

2. You must have some great memories of playing soccer. Would you mind sharing a few of those stories with us?

I do have some great memories of playing soccer. One of these was in 1968 when we played the London Lions of St. John’s in a home-home series for the Provincial title.

It was a carry-over from 1967, when we defeated London Lions to go to the Challenge Cup in Toronto. It was the toughest game we ever had to play. There were no cheap shots – everyone dished it out and everyone took their knocks.

The next morning our local doctor, Dr. Hollywood, was a busy man as about two-thirds of the London Lions were at his office in the hospital getting patched up. Believe it or not we won both the game and war.

3. Tell us what the games were actually like between St. Lawrence and Grand Bank back in the 60s and 70s?

The soccer games between St. Lawrence and Grand Bank were always highly competitive, and both players and fans looked forward to them with great enthusiasm.

Rivalry was the name of the game when it came to Grand Bank games and that always led to very tense, competitive games. There was a lot of animosity on the field but when the game was over, we all socialized and had great fun.

One of my most memorable soccer games against Grand Bank was in 1961. A riot broke out on the field; players and fans alike were all involved. I was not dressed for the game as I had been injured, but as the tempers flared, Theo Etchegary and I jumped onto the field to help out our players, to get them off the field.

All I could hear from the fans was ‘Get Kelly’. Theo and I stood back to back and kept some of the fans away from us. The Town Cop from Grand Bank finally got us into the dressing room as we were surrounded by fans. I just couldn’t believe what was happening as Grand Bank was leading 3-0.

I had a new Volkswagen so I threw the keys to my wife to go and start the car so we could make an early exit with the Town Cop escorting us off the field. I jumped into the car and took off with rocks bouncing off my new car. They chased my car, pelting rocks at me until I got to the welcome sign outside Grand Bank. Needless to say, we did not finish the 1961 season.

4. You have always been a great supporter of the St. Lawrence Laurentians.

Realistically, how much longer can St. Lawrence continue to survive as a dominant force at both provincial and national soccer?

I think our Laurentians will continue to dominate for another year or two on the provincial level, and hopefully hold our own at the national level. At some point though we will have to start rebuilding, as there are still quite a number of potentially great soccer players in our town.

Hopefully, the economy in our town will pick up and we can go back to all our players practicing and living in our town. As it stands now the majority of our players, while they are from our town, are employed elsewhere and thus their practices, etc. go ahead in St. John’s. It must be very challenging for coaches and players.

This practice also has an effect on our fans because, as you know, many of them thoroughly enjoyed watching the practice sessions every evening and they miss this very much.

5. Name three of the greatest players that you ever played with?
Three of the greatest players I ever played with were Reg Farrell, Wils Molloy and Frank Tobin.

6. Name three of the greatest players that you ever played against?
Three of the greatest players I ever played against were Bo Collier (Fortune), Tom Rose (Grand Bank) and Bernie Bennett (St. John’s).

7. What’s does the future hold for Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer?

I feel the future of NLSA soccer is still bright, as interest in the game continues to grow and more and more kids are joining our minor leagues.

My concern has to be the number of games played in our season compared to the other provinces. This is very evident each year when we enter the Nationals.

I realize money is the bottom line in any sport and money is needed to have exhibition games with top teams both here and other provinces during our regular season. I’m not sure what we can do to change this but, if we are to compete nationally and be successful, I feel we need a lot more competitions leading up to this event. I think this is one thing the President of NLSA could look at in the future.

Norm’s Picture

I can’t help but share this Norm Kelly and wife Betty story with you. In 2004, I was president of the St. Lawrence Soccer Association and I invited Gene Tsartolias from the Quebec Provincial Champion Panellinios Soccer Club to come to St. Lawrence and be guest speaker at our annual Soccer Association Awards Banquet.

When Gene arrived, I went to buy a renowned photo of a soccer ball and the pair of boots from a local photographer, Cynthia Farrell. My plans were to present this famous photo to Gene for coming to St. Lawrence and being our guest speaker.

When I checked with Cynthia about getting one of these pictures, she informed me she had neither one of these pictures left, but Norm Kelly bought one some time ago.

I then went over to Norm’s home and marched right in their home and explained to them about Gene being in town and that they had a picture I would like to have. Norm and Betty took the picture off the living room wall and gave it to me to be present to Mr. Tartilios.

Betty, I can remember you wiping of the picture while myself and Norm just stood there laughing.

Gord Dunphy is a former 1990s Challenge Cup All-Star coach of the St. Lawrence Laurentians and National Bronze Medallist. He can be reached by e-mail at ‘gorddunphy@email.com

30/06/09

USA vs Brasil - June 28/09 Click to view

Molson Challenge Cup Scores - Clik on Photo's for enlargements

Patrick Fewer scores Corner Brook Western United first goal of the 2009 season on a penalty shot. The final score of the contest was Feildians 1 - Corner Brook 1

Date: Sunday June 28^th

Game 1

Corner Brook Western United - 1 Feildians Ernst & Young Orenda – 1

Half-time Score: Corner Brook 1 - Feildians 0

Goal Scorers

Corner Brook – Pat Fewer – 8 Min (Penalty shot)

Feildians: Saul Maynard - 81 min.

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Mount Pearl defeated the Provincial Canada Games team by a 2-1 score

Game 2

Mount Pearl / That Pro Look / Molson – 2 vs NL Provincial Canada Games Team -1

Half-time Score: Mount Pearl 1 - Canada Games 1

Goal Scorers

Mount Pearl: John Kelly 3 min, Justin Pickford 56 min.

Canada Games: Boyd Roul 5 min.

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Saturday - June 27 -2009

St. Law - 3 vs Canada Games -0

Paul Slaney – 8 min St. Lawrence

Rudy Norman – 63 min St. Lawrence

Ryan Slaney – 86 min St. Lawrence

Corner Brook -0 vs Mount Pearl -2

Ryan Caines 67 min - MP

Shane Antle 87 min - MP

One Fabulous Show

Will & Melissa, Matt & Lori, Allison & Stefan, Jocelyn and Gord

Alegria - Cirque du Soleil Live At Mile One in St.John's

This show was simply -Fantastic

Alegría is a Cirque du Soleil classic and an internationally acclaimed production that has entertained more than 10 million people worldwide since its world premiere in Montreal in April 1994.

Alegría features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 17 countries and showcases breathtaking acrobatics. Acts include the Synchro Trapeze and the high-speed, high-energy Aerial High Bars in which daring aerialists fly to catchers swinging more than 40 feet above the stage. The vibrancy of youth is alive in Power Track, a brilliant display of synchronized choreography and tumbling on a trampoline system hidden under the stage floor. In Russian Bars, artists fly through the air and perform spectacular somersaults and mid-air turns, landing on bars perched on the sturdy shoulders of catchers.

Molson Challenge Cup Weekend Games

Saturday June 27/09:
St. Law vs Canada Games @ 2'oclock - Topsail Feild
Corner Brook vs Mount Pearl @ 6:30 - Smallwood


Sunday, June 28/09:
Corner Brook @ Feildians @ 12 o'clock - Feildians Gr.
Canada Games@ Mount Pearl @ 2 o'clock - Smallwood


Note :

Schedule change

The game scheduled between St.Lawrence and the host Canada Games Team, was originally scheduled to be played in Clarenville on the 27th of June at 3 o’clock but now has now been rescheduled to be played in Topsail, CBS at 2 o’clock. The date, June 27th, remains the same.

BPSA Under 10 and Under 14 Boys Invitational

Invitational BPSA U-10 and U-14 Boys Tournament

Date: July 10 -12, 2009

Deadline for Registration: July 3, 2009

The Burin Peninsula Soccer Association is looking to host invitational/exhibition under 10 or 14 boys tournament on July 10 -12. If your club is interested in participating please contact Shane Dunphy by Friday July 3,09. shanedunphy@hotmail.com.


This is a great opportunity for your club to visit the region and enjoy some friendly competition. There will be activities both on and off the field for parents and players

A New Era of Soccer Begins In Corner Brook - Double click photo's for enlargements

St.Lawrence 4 Corner Brook 0

A New Era of Soccer Begins in Corner Brook
by Gord Dunphy

Corner Brook's opening match was more than just a regular season opening game. It was a game that had opening ceremonies. I was very honored to be in attendance as NLSA representative. It was a date that the history books will record as the first Challenge Cup match played at the new Wellington Complex. This game illustrated that the NLSA has a plan to grow the sport of soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador. NLSA has full intentions of making Challenge Cup a province wide Provincial League. This game and date will also go in the history books as the first ever game played in the history of Provincial Challenge Cup in Newfoundland that a contest was worth a total value of 6 points.

The Dramatics were in place

Boosted by the fact that it was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid 20's and the St.Lawrence Laurentians were in town for the opening match, I've witnessed a large attendance of fans. For those who showed up, they saw soccer showcased at it's best. I'm sure Sharon Langer, Doug Sweetapple and Garland Oram, organizers of West Coast Soccer, must feel very proud today.

The match

The match itself had all the dramatics of a Provincial Challenge Cup Final. Put the "Big Blue Machine" on artificial turf and they will show you what to do with a soccer ball. But in the opening half Corner Brook really didn't care about the Laurentians history. They surprised the Laurentians, they ran rather well, they were very physical with the Laurentians. The Laurentians had two good scoring chances. Corner Brook had two great scoring opportunities of their own. Basically the first half was a see saw affair which ended in a 0-0 score.

Now the second half was another story. Soccer matches are 90 minutes and St.Lawrence are around long enough to know that. With just five minutes gone in the second half, Rudy Norman who was a standout, sent Peter Greene in and Greene hit it to the left of the keeper, scoring the games first goal. Then 8 minutes later, it was Paul Slaney striking from about 25 yards on another beautiful goal. From that point on the Laurentians used the artificial turf and the width of the field to perform the basic skills of the game. Marc Pittman and Clinton Edwards looked good. Veteran Rudy Norman scored at the 78 minute mark. When Rudy scored, a little kid that was standing by the side of me looked up and said, "Sir, he is awesome" . With full control of the game, Coach Edwards constantly subbed in and out players for the duration of the second half. At the 88 minute mark Mike Douglas scored the Laurentian's final goal. Corner Brook's player of the game was #21 Greg Keats.

A classy ending

When the final whistle blew, the fans clapped and applauded the efforts of both teams . Simply put, it was a great day for Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer. Our next goal now must be to get more teams from the west entered into Provincial Challenge Cup Soccer.

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Photo's from Corner Brooks opening Game

Teams line up for opening ceremonies

Game Officials - Referee ; Shannon Tobin Asistants: Shelly Drover, Craig Fitzpatrick


NlSA Represenative - Gord Dunphy
bring greeting on behalf
Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association





A huge number of Fans were in Attendance



Laurentians goalkeeper - John Douglas


The hand shakes

CBS Kick -Off Follow Up

Paradise Rec defeated Paradise 2 to 1 to capture the Masters Crown. Gary Penny scored both goals for the winners while Paul Jackman replied for Paradise. John Ivany of Paradise was the MVP of the championship game, in a losing cause.

Other team competing were Paradise Intermediates, Feildian Intermediates, CBS Masters and Marystown Master

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Gonzaga defeated host CBS 1 -0 on a goal by Ian Brenton with 10 minutes remaining to capture the bragging rights for the Intermediate Division of the 2009 CBS Kickoff Tournament played on June 13 & 14. Zach Attwood of Gonzaga was the MVP of the championship game.

St.John's Masters Soccer Opens season

Coast playing Holy Cross/The Dock at Mundy Pond

All games today ended in 1-1 scores

Jun 17, 6:45 pm	Masters - Conception Bay South/Daley Brand	1	Masters - Air Labrador/Cooper Heating	1
Jun 17, 6:45 pm	Masters - Feildians	1	Masters - Duke of Duckworth/Molson	1
Jun 17, 6:45 pm	Masters - Coast 101/Labatt's	1	Masters - Holy Cross/The Dock	1

The Big Guy Is Making It Big

Referee - Mike Edmunds

Mike Edmunds work as an official over the past number of years on the field and his work in the gym over the past twelve months has paid major dividends. The Canadian Soccer Association has appointed Edmunds, of St. John’s, to become one of 12 referees in Canada to be recently named to the national list of referees. Mike has been officiating at the Provincial Challenge Cup Level and at CSA tournaments for the past decade.

Edmunds will be traveling to Thunder Bay, Ontario this weekend for his first National appointment. He will referee on a United Soccer Leagues PDL match between the Real Colorado Foxes and the host Thunder Bay Chill. Mike's is one of these guys that is living proof that, " Hard Work Does Pay OFF"

Congratulations Mike !

Breen's Jubilee League Scores

Action from the Holy Cross / Feildians game played at Feildians Ground

Game 1. Feildians : 1 vs Holy Cross: 1
Goal Scorers: Megan Eason (H.C.) and Stephanine Malone ( Feildians)


Game 2. Kirby : 4 vs Mount Pearl/Paradise : 0

Kirby Goal Scorers : Niicole Adams - (2) Malorie Harris - (1) and Erika Lannon - (1)

Shut Out - Janine Bursey

Important BPSA Meeting

What: A BPSA Meeting

Where: Sacred Heart Academy in Marystown

When : Wednesday June 17, 2009 at 7 o'clock

Why : To discuss the Burin Peninsula Intermediate League for 2009.

Important Note

All clubs must have a representative in attendance. Please let me know who is representing your club. shanedunphy@hotmail.com

BPSA President

Shane Dunphy

Coach's Corner by Gord Dunphy

The Laurentians of 2009

When I sit back and reflect, as 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of Coach’s Corner, never before have I witnessed the number of changes in one season that the St. Lawrence Laurentians have gone through this season. Actually, it’s unreal what the Laurentians have encountered.

Edwards returns behind the bench

First of all, I will look at the coaching situation, which is a very peculiar one indeed. Long time veteran player and former Laurentians’ coach Junior Edwards is back.
Edwards has replaced Derek Strang behind the bench, and there is no doubt Edwards has experience. He previously coached the St. Lawrence Senior Laurentians on three different occasions. He first coached St. Lawrence in 1991 and again coached the Laurentians from 1994-1997. He followed this up by coaching them from 2000-2004. During his years of coaching, he has led the Laurentians to five provincial Challenge Cup Championships – 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2001. Undoubtedly, his greatest achievement occurred at the National level in 2002, when he coached St. Lawrence to a national silver medal in St. John’s. I think Edwards’s biggest disappointment as head coach came in his last two seasons of coaching, when Mount Pearl defeated St. Lawrence in the final in 2003 and then in 2004 when Marystown defeated Edwards Laurentians for the Provincial Challenge Cup right in the Laurentians’ home backyard. One may ask, “What’s so peculiar this year in Edwards being St. Lawrence’s head coach?” The fact Edwards works on a two-week rotational basis at the Voisey’s Bay Mine in Labrador really prevents him from being committed as a full-time coach. In actual fact, Junior will only be behind the bench part time. Maybe the fact Scott Bishop has agreed to be Junior’s assistant could resolve the issue, as Scott is available full time.

Laurentians Lose Star Players

The Laurentians will also be without some of last season’s veteran key performers. Departed are their Captain Blair Aylward, Richard Kelly, Mike Howlett, Alec Turpin and Andrew Perrott. This group of players have been around the Laurentians for a long time.They all have retired. Whether they all stay on the sidelines for the entire season is anyone’s guess. I would be very much surprised if I didn’t see a couple of those guys back on the field in August by the time St. Lawrence Day rolls around.

Canada Games Player

The Laurentians will also be without a few of their young hometown kids this season. The Laurentians young ace, Sean Edwards, along with Stephan Slaney and Tyler Beck – players the Laurentians will be leaning on in the future – will be wearing the provincial colors of Newfoundland and Labrador while playing with the NL Provincial Canada Games team. These players will not be available to St. Lawrence until Labour Day.
Boyd Roul of Lawn has also committed to the Laurentians once the Canada Games are over. Roul has all the tools and the potential of being a solid Laurentian should he remain in the area beyond 2009.

Norman will lead

Despite the loss of these veterans and young Laurentians players in 2009, many of our local experts feel St. Lawrence is still the team to beat this season. I feel St. Lawrence will perform well but will struggle at times. In the end, though, St. Lawrence will be solid.
I would be more than shocked if veteran Rudy Norman is not wearing the Laurentians ‘C’ this season. Rudy is a born leader, he has looked after the players on the Avalon for years and he has been one of the best performers in the province over the past decade.
The Laurentians are sound in net with goalkeeper John Douglas. Douglas has been the top keeper in the province for the past five years. He has super reflexes, has matured immensely and is technically sound. Then there is veteran all-star performer Clinton Edwards. When Clinton is playing in his most effective position, and of course I’m talking about center back, he is a delight to watch. Edwards, combined with the league’s top defender Marc Pittman, may be as good as any twofold in the country. In the middle, the Laurentians still have Paul Slaney, Ryan Slaney and Darren Pike. When these players are on top of their game, they rank up with the best in the province. The return of Adam Loder, Randy Turpin, Peter Greene, Andrew Strang and Mike Douglas will solidify openings that have been created.

The tradition must continue!

I’m sure the Laurentians are finding it harder and harder to maintain a competitive edge and continuously field a competitive team. But the tradition the community has developed in supporting the Laurentians is something St. Lawrence should be very proud of and it is something the town should never relinquish.

Gord Dunphy is a former 1990s Challenge Cup All-Star coach of the St. Lawrence Laurentians and National Bronze Medallist. He can be reached by e-mail at ‘gorddunphy@email.com’.

St.Lawrence Under - 21 Provincial Champs - "Very Strong Team"

(Back Row L-R) Rep- Brian Gibbons, Sam Warren, Johnny Clark, Shane Dunphy, Donny Slaney, Noel Doyle, Dave Dunphy, Tim Slaney, Gord Pike, Herb Edwards and Coach Alec Bo

( Front Row L-R) Dion Kettle - Nipper, Ray Slaney, Paul Slaney - Bumble, Vaughn Loder, Hubert Beck, Bruddy Edwards and Brian Clarke

Holy Cross : 3 Feildians: 1 Game report by Gord Dunphy

Photo by Gord Dunphy

Holy Cross/The Dock 3 Feildians 1

The first game of the 2009 season for Holy Cross and Feildians was a very well played game It was a game that opened with intensity. It was a contest that demonstrated high level of soccer skills and it certainly showed a high level of fitness. This game opened with momentum, with lots of hard tackles and physical play. There were plenty of fans on hand. Basically, this contest demonstrated that no team is going to be a push-over this season.

Wide open play

Right from the opening whistle, both teams ran the field well. At the three minute mark Feildians Zack Hynes hooked on to the ball deep into Holy Cross territory and then, with a beautiful finishing touch, he lobbed the ball over Holy Cross goalkeeper Scott Edwards, who was caught off his line. Both teams continued to go at it after the goal and the play went back and forth until the 23 minute mark, when Jon Hawco picked up a loose ball at the 18 yard line. Hawco went in, dribbled around the defender, carried on and went around Feildian's goalkeeper. Then rather than put the ball into an empty net, he took an extra step and, as a result of this, he was totally stopped from even getting a shot on net. Holy Cross had another glorious chance when Zack Wade missed from close in at the 3o minute mark. From there, it was fairly even play for the remainder of the half.

Second Half - It was all Holy Cross

The second half of play was a much different half. Feildians stopped running and Holy Cross ran miles . They totally frustrated the Feildians defence and they controlled the middle of the field. They looked impressive. They worked the ball to the outside and as a result of their efforts, Jon Hawco scored on a beautiful header at the 59 minute mark. Zack Wade scored again at the 65 minute mark from a ball that was hit inside the box from the outside wing position.From that point onward, it was as if Feildians had somehow disappeared. A field of green had become a field of red. All that the Feildians could do was chase the ball. They weren't orchestrating any sort of creativity. In the last minute of play Corey Moore sealed the faith of the Feildian team and gave Holy Cross their third goal of the match for a well deserved 3-1 victory.

Molson Challenge Cup Opening Day Score

Molson Challenge Cup Opening Day Score

Saturday - June 13 - 4:00

Canada Games: 1 at St.Lawrence: 2

Norman leads Laurentians to opening game victory

In the opening game of the Molson Challenge Cup Soccer played in St. Lawrence, the St. Lawrence Labatt Laurentians defeated the Newfoundland and Labrador Games Team by a very slim margin of 2-1. The Provincial Canada Games Team came out flying and totally dominated the Laurentian’s in the first period. At the 36 minute mark it was the NL Provincial Canada Games’s coach’s son, Albert Anstey Jr. who scored the opening goal on a penalty shot. This was the only goal scored in the first half.

In the second half, things changed considerably. The Laurentian’s came out very composed and went on the attack, and in less than 10 minutes, the Laurentian’s had dented the twine twice. The Laurentians Paul Slaney scored a goal at the 51 minute mark and then at the 54 minute mark, veteran Rudy Norman scored , giving the Laurentians a 2-1 score. The Laurentians looked very comfortable at this point ,controlling the ball and making several great plays. In the end, the Laurentians opened up the 2009 season with a victory.

Canadian Soccer Association's, Sean Fleming visits Newfoundland - Please double click on pitcture for photo enlargements

Sean Fleming (CSA Grassroots Director, U-17 Men’s National Team Coach, & Director of NTC-Prairies) is in St. John’s this weekend to headline the NLSA U-11 Provincial Camp and also for a Long Term Player Development Coaching Seminar.
Pictured here is Mr Fleming giving a very passion speech about player development. He also spoke about the importance of the kids parents

Pictured here is Mr. Fleming and in the background is NLSA President, Doug Redmond and NLSA Technical Director, Mr. Jeff Babstock


Mr. Fleming definitely has the talent to draws one attention. This is illustrated in the photo as he speaks to the NLSA Under 11's at Torbay Soccer Field

Pictured here are the NLSA Under 11's, their regional coaches, Sean Fleming, Doug Redmond and Mike Power from the NLSA grassroots.

Ryan Dunphy attended the U 11 Camp

Molson Challenge Cup Weekend Games

Molson Challenge Cup Games This Weekend

Saturday - June 13 - 4:00

Canada Games at St.Lawrence

Centennial Field

Sunday June 14 - 2:00
Holy Cross at Feildians

Feildian Grounds

Admission : $3.00 - Under 10 : Free

CBS Soccer Kick -Off - Nugent's field, Kelligrews

2009 CBS Kickoff Tournament

The CBS Soccer Association Kickoff Tourney which will be played this weekend at Nugent Field in Kelligrews.

Gerard Kenny
Senior Soccer Director
CBS Soccer Association

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Drop by for some fine soccer

The Marystown Masters were there in their usual high spirits

Saturday June 13, 2009

9am Paradise vs CBS - INTERMEDIATE
10:30 Feildians vs Gonzaga - INTERMEDIATE
12:00 Paradise Rec vs Paradise - MASTERS
1:30 Marystown Vs CBS - MASTERS
3:00 Paradise vs Feildians -INTERMEDIATE
4:30 CBS vs Gonzaga - INTERMEDIATE
6:00 Paradise vs CBS - MASTERS
7:30 Paradise Rec vs Marystown - MASTERS

Sunday June 14, 2009

9am Paradise vs Marystown - MASTERS

10:15 Paradise Rec vs CBS -MASTERS

11:30 CBS vs Feildians - INTERMEDIATE

1:00 Paradise vs Gonzaga - INTERMEDIATE

Intermediate Championship Match : 3 'clock

MASTERS Championship Match : 4:30

Fergus Dunphy

My nephew, Fergus Dunphy, is starting to make a name for himself in Halifax soccer. Fergie, as he is known, lives in Halifax and he plays at a minor and high school level. At his school, he plays with Halifax Grammar School which offers a highly competitive soccer program for students in Middle and Senior Schools. At the Senior level, the teams compete in Division 1, where they have been very successful in recent years. The Senior Boys team is lead by their Captain and star defender Fergus Dunphy. The team is coached by Kevin O'Carroll and Kevin Curran. In 2008 they placed first at the ACIS SR. Boys Soccer Tournament.

Very Important BPSA Meeting

The Burin Peninsula Soccer Association is having a meeting on June 14 at 6:30 at Sacred Heart Academy in Marystown.

At this meeting it is imperative that all clubs bring along the number of players your club has registered in each division so that a schedule for local tournaments can be devised. Please ensure a rep from your club is in attendance at this meeting.

I would greatly appreceiate if you could inform me prior to the meeting who will be in attendance at this very important meeting representing your club.

Yours in soccer,

Shane Dunphy

President, Burin Peninsula Soccer Association

My email address is : shanedunphy@hotmail.com

My home telephone number 279 - 2392

Commitment a must for Challenge Cup squad by DAVE KEARSEY - The Western Star

From left, Gary Drake, Pat Christopher, Ryan Oxford and Brien Pattenden are seen here during Challenge Cup tryouts earlier this month. — Star file photo


It didn’t take Gary Drake long to break out the “C” word when asked about Corner Brook’s Challenge Cup soccer squad.Drake, who runs development squads for the Leicester Football Club in England, is helping fellow countryman Ian Marshall run the city’s Challenge Cup practices while head coach Garland Oram is out of the country. Drake is visiting Marshall for the summer and will be passing on his expertise until he returns home in August.

He believes the team is looking good with a sprinkle of youngsters and a solid nucleus of talent to build on. But, he said, the level of commitment (the “C” in question) players bring to the turf will ultimately dictate how the team fares against the top players in the province.“If we can get everyone training and get everyone fit then we will have a good chance,” he said. “We need everyone to commit for 10 games of the season.”He insists players will have to make Challenge Cup a priority for the summer and be committed to playing every game, particularly the five road games. Competing against highly-skilled teams like St. Lawrence and Holy Cross, he said, will require players being in top physical form. “Everyone needs to be at least in a shape where they feel comfortable to play because it is a little different playing in the Corner Brook league than Challenge Cup,” he said.

On a regular basis, upwards of 30 players have been attending practice sessions with hopes of making the squad. On Tuesday night, hopefuls for the squad played a friendly against Bar Room Tactics FC of the Corner Brook Molson Senior Soccer League and came away with a 7-0 win.Drake, who played semi-pro at home, said he has been impressed with the effort of guys like Colin Lynch, Paul Prosper and Pat Fewer in both the friendly and the training sessions. More importantly though, a handful of Under-16s have caught his eye and, by no means, look out of place.“Obviously, Challenge Cup needs to be looking at the Under-16s as the future,” said Drake, who feels there’s a lot of energy in the midfield in the early going.

Coach Oram is expected back in the country on June 1, and the roster is expected to be announced the following day. The Challenge Cup season opens June 20.The Challenge Cup circuit features six teams, with one of them being the Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games team, which doesn’t qualify for the post-season. The top four teams advance to the playoff round for a chance at winning the cup, which means one team is sent packing at the end of the regular campaign.“The first expectation is to qualify for finals weekend and then whatever happens in the finals weekend ... we want to try and win it really, but obviously being the first year (back in the league) we’re expecting to do as best we can and use it as a learning process,” he said.“It’s going to be the best soccer that people have seen around Corner Brook for a few years,” he added. “It will be a good standard to come watch.”

Bishop Joins Laurentian Coaching Staff

Scott Bishop, one of the St.Lawrence Laurenian's key performers of the Laurentian's 1990's team has joined the coaching staff of the 2009 Laurentian's team. Bishop brings an abundance of Challenge Cup experience to the team. He had a 15 year playing career with St.Lawrence Laurentian's 1st Division team and the Laurentian's will certainly benefit from his defensive knowledge of the game. Scott played his entire career as a right wing back.He was sound defensively and had a nice touch on the ball offensively. From my experience, after having coached Scott, he was one of those players whose performance elevated with the importance of the game. Scott's best performances generally came on Labor Day Weekend and at the Canadian National Championships. Scott will assist Jr. Edwards, Edwards is the Laurentian's 2009 head coach.

Remember the name - Keegan Ayre?

Keegan Ayre (born 4 July 1988, in New Westminster, BC) is a Canadian soccer player that currently plays for Scottish club Berwick Rangers on loan from Hibernian. He plays as a central midfielder.

Although born in the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, Ayre grew up in Coquitlam. In his early years, he attended Lord Baden Powell Elementary School, then Como Lake Middle School, and lastly Centennial High School.

After a successful trial period in 2005, he signed for Hibernian on a 2 and a half year contract, despite interest from English sides Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday as well as city rivals Hearts. In January 2008 he was loaned to Scottish Second Division side Berwick Rangers until the end of the season in order that he could gain some first team experience.

Ayre has been a member of Canadian national team set-up since under-17 level. His father is Garry Ayre, a former NASL player

The first real sign of spring in 2009

Nugents Soccer Feild in CBS

The NLSA Under 13 Boys Team Getting Some Advice

Here, NLSA Under 13 Boys Take To The Field

The 2009 NLSA Under 13 Boys Team

Zachary Taylor (Corner Brook), Kyle Kinsella (St. John’s), Tristan Hayward (St. John’s), Simon Pope (St. John’s), Miguel Shano (St. John’s), Tyler Kirby (St. John’s), Josh Conway (St. John’s), Theo Stylianides (St. John’s), Christian Lace (Burin), Adam Kelly (St. Lawrence), Shayne Dunphy (Marystown), Zachary Armstrong (Burnt Cove), William Hayes (Georgetown), Lucas Fisher (Portugal Cove-St. Phillip’s), Stephen Pond (CBS), Julian Pond (CBS), Andrew Scott (CBS), Jamie Kovacs (CBS), Matthew Nickerson (CBS), Kyle Williams (Goulds), Alex Smith (Mount Pearl), Keegan Brophy (Mount Pearl) - Head Coach Paulo David

The Burin Peninsula has three players on the
NLSA Under -13 Boys Team

Left to Right :
Adam Kelly - St.Lawrence : Harry Kelly son
Shayne Dunphy . - Marystown : Shane Dunphy son
Christan Lacey - Burin : Norm Lace son
Shane Dunphy is Assistant Coach with this team