Winnipeg, April 26, 2013 – The Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association will kick off its outdoor season tonight on artificial turf at the Waverley Soccer Complex. The unseasonably cold and snowy spring will delay the use of natural grass fields for at least two more weeks.
“This really highlights the need for more artificial turf fields in our city. Bad weather is common here, so we should prepare for it,” said Tom Thompson, President of the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association. “With artificial turf fields, we can start the season earlier and end it later. We can also play four times as many games on them without risk of damage.”
WYSA is advising its leagues that the recreational leagues for ages U13 to U18 will begin play as scheduled using the artificial turf fields at the Waverley Soccer Complex. Weather permitting, it expects to begin allowing play on natural grass fields in two to three weeks, including for U9 to U12 recreational and developmental teams and for U13 to U18 premier and premier-developmental teams.
“We need a lot of sun and wind to melt the snow and dry the fields,” said Carlo Bruneau, WYSA Executive Director. “We’ll start using the fields as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. We will reschedule cancelled games as quickly as we can, but the weather this year might mean we have to play a slightly shorter season.”
WYSA reminds soccer teams and all Winnipeggers to be gentle on sports fields this spring until they have dried up. Wet and muddy fields can be easily and badly damaged by sports teams.
The Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association administers youth soccer leagues for ages U9 to U18 in the City of Winnipeg. For more information regarding schedules and game cancellations, please visit www.WinnipegYouthSoccer.com.
