Soccer moms seek other over-30s for spring women’s league
The Rosedale Rockers love their soccer, but they’d like it better if they could play against opponents their own age.
The Rockers are a team consisting of women from their mid-30s to
mid-40s. When they formed last year, most had never played organized soccer. They found themselves playing against much younger and more experienced teams in Chilliwack’s regular seven-a-side women’s spring league.
“We enjoyed the games and had a lot of fun and got better as the season went on,” comments team manager Cheryl Hagen, “While the regular league will continue this year, we’d really like it if we could inspire a few more over-30 teams to form so that we can have a separate spring league for older women.”
The Rockers didn’t win a game all season, but they scored some goals and won the team spirit award at the end of the season in recognition of their sense of fun, sportsmanship, and irreverence.
The Rockers are all soccer moms used to watching from the sidelines, but the tables were turned as their many kids cheered them on during their games, or they escaped their family responsibilities for mom’s night out twice a week.
In addition to the fitness, fun, and outlet for some healthy aggression that the experience provided, the Rockers say that they valued the chance to put themselves first for a change, make friends, and be an example to their kids.
“Being on our soccer team has been rejuvenating for my soul,” said Emma Blaschek. "I have treasured every minute of being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 12 years, but there have been times that I felt I lost a little of my own self. Now the kids are older and since I joined the Rockers I feel that I now have something that is all about me. There is something special about being on a team with such great women.”
“At first I laughed at the notion of putting myself first twice a week,” said Heidi Wiebe. “I didn’t think I could do it. But joining the team and getting back into sports has been a great self-confidence booster for me and it helped me get in better shape too. And our kids get to be proud of us.”
“I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the challenge of getting physical and playing against the other women,” said Trish Martin. “I also loved the team camaraderie and how our friendships grew off the field too. I used to see more of my friends, but after getting married and having kids we lost touch. It’s good to hang out with other ladies again. I’ve always loved sports, having fun, and getting physical. Now the door is open to all of that again.”
“The women’s seven-a-side soccer season was one of the best times in my life. It brought together lots of different women who are now even closer friends to me and each other, which is a wonderful thing to watch and experience,” said Cheryl Hagen. “At the same time I was doing something a little selfish for myself, which I have not done in many years. To add to it all I was getting exercise and having so many laughs!”
"I hadn't played in 21 years and didn't think I'd ever play again," said Anne Russell. "It was amazing and very satisfying to return to soccer over the age of 40 and find that I still had some of my old moves and could blast the ball up the field and have fun doing so."
The Rockers are currently recruiting players aged 30 and over for a proposed spring seven-a-side league. Each team may have one player under 30.
“We’re encouraging interested women to contact us individually, and we’ll place them on a team, or to form their own group of up to 12 players and join as a team,” says coordinator Tara Field. “All levels of experience are welcome, even beginners.”
Games will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Vedder Middle School, starting in early May. Game times will be 6 or 7:15 pm. League cost will be $500 per team, or $50 per individual player.
Teams can have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 12. The season will run from April 22 to June 19.
Organizers are hosting an open house/scrimmage session on Sunday, March
30 from 1 to 3 pm, at Vedder Middle School. Drop by and ask questions or come in cleats and shin pads and kick a ball around.
For more information contact Tara Field at 794-9821 or ronkfield@shaw.ca
The Rosedale Rockers love their soccer, but they’d like it better if they could play against opponents their own age.
The Rockers are a team consisting of women from their mid-30s to
mid-40s. When they formed last year, most had never played organized soccer. They found themselves playing against much younger and more experienced teams in Chilliwack’s regular seven-a-side women’s spring league.
“We enjoyed the games and had a lot of fun and got better as the season went on,” comments team manager Cheryl Hagen, “While the regular league will continue this year, we’d really like it if we could inspire a few more over-30 teams to form so that we can have a separate spring league for older women.”
The Rockers didn’t win a game all season, but they scored some goals and won the team spirit award at the end of the season in recognition of their sense of fun, sportsmanship, and irreverence.
The Rockers are all soccer moms used to watching from the sidelines, but the tables were turned as their many kids cheered them on during their games, or they escaped their family responsibilities for mom’s night out twice a week.
In addition to the fitness, fun, and outlet for some healthy aggression that the experience provided, the Rockers say that they valued the chance to put themselves first for a change, make friends, and be an example to their kids.
“Being on our soccer team has been rejuvenating for my soul,” said Emma Blaschek. "I have treasured every minute of being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 12 years, but there have been times that I felt I lost a little of my own self. Now the kids are older and since I joined the Rockers I feel that I now have something that is all about me. There is something special about being on a team with such great women.”
“At first I laughed at the notion of putting myself first twice a week,” said Heidi Wiebe. “I didn’t think I could do it. But joining the team and getting back into sports has been a great self-confidence booster for me and it helped me get in better shape too. And our kids get to be proud of us.”
“I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the challenge of getting physical and playing against the other women,” said Trish Martin. “I also loved the team camaraderie and how our friendships grew off the field too. I used to see more of my friends, but after getting married and having kids we lost touch. It’s good to hang out with other ladies again. I’ve always loved sports, having fun, and getting physical. Now the door is open to all of that again.”
“The women’s seven-a-side soccer season was one of the best times in my life. It brought together lots of different women who are now even closer friends to me and each other, which is a wonderful thing to watch and experience,” said Cheryl Hagen. “At the same time I was doing something a little selfish for myself, which I have not done in many years. To add to it all I was getting exercise and having so many laughs!”
"I hadn't played in 21 years and didn't think I'd ever play again," said Anne Russell. "It was amazing and very satisfying to return to soccer over the age of 40 and find that I still had some of my old moves and could blast the ball up the field and have fun doing so."
The Rockers are currently recruiting players aged 30 and over for a proposed spring seven-a-side league. Each team may have one player under 30.
“We’re encouraging interested women to contact us individually, and we’ll place them on a team, or to form their own group of up to 12 players and join as a team,” says coordinator Tara Field. “All levels of experience are welcome, even beginners.”
Games will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Vedder Middle School, starting in early May. Game times will be 6 or 7:15 pm. League cost will be $500 per team, or $50 per individual player.
Teams can have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 12. The season will run from April 22 to June 19.
Organizers are hosting an open house/scrimmage session on Sunday, March
30 from 1 to 3 pm, at Vedder Middle School. Drop by and ask questions or come in cleats and shin pads and kick a ball around.
For more information contact Tara Field at 794-9821 or ronkfield@shaw.ca
