The Hanover Soccer Club has opened its registration for the 2022 season.

“After everything that has happened over the past two years, we are looking forward to seeing everyone out on the field again,” reads the Hanover Soccer Club registration page.

Norm Anderson, Hanover Soccer Club Board chair agrees. “We're really excited! It's been a long time since we had a full season, and I know there's lots of kids just desperate to get back out there.”

During the 2021 season, Andersons says, the club “had one adult team and 3 youth teams playing the majority of the season under extreme duress and with all the restrictions.”

He says for this year, “normal programming is available for the Mini’s to Adults teams. We are really hoping that registrations won't be too dramatically hit. I've been hearing from some communities who are saying their numbers are a bit down, but I guess that could be just a little bit of uncertainty, but we are focused on fun, safety, and inclusiveness, and we want that to be our three main pillars.”

Anderson says even though there are no restrictions this summer, the Soccer Club is still expecting their numbers will be down. He also mentions there are other issues the club needs to deal with, “We've also lost a few volunteers. They've aged out or whatever and we need to replace those volunteers. So, anyone who is interested in helping, we'd be absolutely glad to hear from you.”

With no restrictions, Steinbach Soccer Park is expected to be very busy this year.

Overall, Anderson says there is a lot of excitement in the air for those wanting to play soccer again. “We’ve had so many emails from people just sharing that “I've registered my kids. I'm so excited. I can't wait to get going.” You know, it’s just sheer ecstasy to be able to get outside to mingle, to be social and to enjoy some exercise.”

When it comes to registering your child or yourself for Soccer, Anderson says, the deadline is coming up, around the first week in April. “And the season will begin, weather permitting, you know, if this melt continues it might be sooner rather than later, but it'll be the first week, maybe the 4th or the 9th of May. And the Mini and Eastman Youth League will run till the 23rd of June. And the adults will run from May until September. “

When it comes to Steinbach Soccer Park field conditions Anderson says, “from the field's perspective, they’ve had almost two years to rest, so with a good bit of moisture that's there right now, I'm really expecting the fields to be in fantastic condition. The city of Steinbach Parks and Rec Department and administration and the field crew does a fantastic job giving us the best fields in Manitoba.”

Of course, Anderson is a FIFA fan and has this to say about Team Canada playing in the World Cup this November, “Well, I'm super excited because it's been quite some time since Canada was represented in the World Cup.” Anderson continues, “There are 210 countries entered into the tournament and Canada's been doing great! They are in the CONCACAF qualifications, top of their group and have secured their spot in Qatar.”

“For locals here, it's just another facet to being a sports fanatic. It seems like everybody follows ice hockey or basketball, football and all that stuff. But this is just another way for the fans to get behind their country and cheer the players on.”

Anderson continues, “I really believe soccer is a world sport because it touches so many lives. You can hardly talk to anybody who hasn’t played soccer at some point in their life. Then once you get our national team doing well and get that support, get that interest growing, then people start to think “Oh, my kid’s pretty good at that or I think maybe I could be there in a few years' time. I just need a pathway to get there.”

Anderson says, “the pathways are there.” Hanover Soccer Club registration is online at Hanoversoccer.ca