The Battle For BC Bronze – Point Grey’s Last Stand

Maybe the legs were sapped of energy. What we had just witnessed on field might have been called a ‘Surprise in Summerland’, but it wasn’t. We had earned our win and played the way we Rovers are known to.  Leigh and Dave had us turned into a deadly strike force.  We could have won 5 – 1.

If not our legs, how can you explain how we just all wanted to stay at the park, basking in the beauty and sunlight of Summerland. There was excitement in Rover Nation.  It was great to behold and there we continued to talk and laugh in the stands and on the grass. Nobody wanted it to end. As we talked looking and appreciating the hills, Dave, Kimberly and Leigh had thought it looked like Spain.  Amid this surreal setting, we had watched our lads come of age.

Rovers Love Water

The only thing that could move us was the allure of more fun elsewhere. The team top brass had masterminded a day at the beach. Eventually our cars were headed downhill so with a few turns, we rolled up to sand and water.  For once, it was good to be a bit late.  One of the boys texted Eric that a turn is easily missed. It might have been PJ shooting by the turnoff. This text came just in time for me to make it.

There were some mixed minds about unleashing Rovers into the water.  A beach, the sun, right after a big win, and the looming Bronze medal game ahead, spirits would be running pretty high.  What happens if we get too much sun, use up all our stored energy, or drain the energy from our legs by doing something crazy, like running all over the place in the sand, or renting oversized floating water bikes. Not a chance, right?

Resting the Legs for the Big Game...

Leigh being that kind of ‘feel’ coach, knew the boys would keep a lid on things…and so he had no problem with the hanging out and letting off steam.

Far before the paddle bikes came out, the lake bottom sand was flying.  A few of the lads were into a mud fight when I walked up.  I guess it would ok if sand  did not contain those small stones. Getting one lodged in an eye would be bad for the next day. That could not end well. So off they went, in search of water bikes and volleyball.

A GQ Pose?

I went back to the beach were the grownups, other players and the amazing group of kids, sisters, cousins and friends gabbered. Food was everywhere, including the widest selection of junk anywhere.

As well, Jerry’s Bar was open. But you had to be led to it to find it.

While we stood aback his SUV, I looked at the faces around.  I could not help but think that here are about the happiest fathers and coaches around. The sun was streaming through the pine trees and warming up the spirits.  We talked about the game and the chances, and how fired up the lads were.  There were some great moments and who could describe the feeling of effort by Kyle to feed a cross over to see BryJ head it straight back to net.  Tomorrow would be a big day.

Harley Gives Encouragement...But No Help

Back at beach blanket bingo, previously hatched plans for the evening were being discussed.  Boston Pizza was to be ground zero. Rover Nation was going to fuel up good on carbohydrates.

I could have only imagined the serve staff’s reaction to a growing sea of Rovers.  With the sunburnt faces and arms, the Nation looked like they were on vacation.  Rovers was fixin’ to down a tonne or two of pizza, pasta and pints.

I guess with the win, the coaching and training staff became overnight media celebrities.

Rover Ready To Go

While the rest of us got there early or on time, the interviews were holding some back..

Shirley had staked out a corral shaped section, with plenty of barrier zones to separate us from the rest of the unsuspecting guests. It worked perfectly, as the some 12 tables were brought together under Rover Nation’s roof.

Eventually a commotion boiled into the room as the masses parted to see Leigh, Don, Peter and the entourage signing hats and kissing babies.

Rovers Everywhere

Cheers and applause swept over us as the Nation was getting down to a serious party.

Ordering food according to a players number solved a cash flow dilemma.  Without it, no cash would easily flow.  After dinner a great dessert was ordered for the head table. Sharing that table was team socialite Don.  He just seemed to find himself at all the right places, at the right times.

A Touch of Class

Then all the lads and Rover Nation closed in where Manager Kathy and the rest took over. I would be lying to say I remembered all the nice things said.  Bottles of wine sprang from the Rover river of goodwill in appreciating for the coaching efforts. All of us to a person really appreciated the coaches efforts for us all and Leigh and Dave were recognized by the boys.  That went for Peter, Kathy and Jerry too. Perhaps the words that felt so right were chosen by Liam. “Thank you guys, we could not have done it without you.”

Another Touch of Class

That river soon flowed into the streets as people made their way back to the houses, hotels and motels that kept us.  In a plea for more fun, Wayne and family inspired a direction change, to check out this amazing ice cream place, right by the other lake.  The river took another twist.

After massive scoopage, we waddled down the boardwalk to the shore. Another perfect night.  But it was time to end, we needed to be ready for tomorrow. It was past 10.

With Much Thanks....

After much restless sleep, the morning did come, and with it a chance to win a bronze medal at these Championships.

All were at the field ready to warm up early enough for the game.  West Vancouver was fighting it out for 5th place.   Our win by 2 goals yesterday broke an identical record tie with them. I have grown to know and respect their players, coaches and parents over the course of the year. When I got to the field, I went over to their cheering section and started up.  It was a 1 – 1 draw with time running out.  With us waiting to get on and the gold medal game after us, they went directly to a shootout.

The Spuraways went first.  And then Penticton.  Penticton would get the edge on a missed West Van attempt.  Two shooters later, a West Van striker slipped one in and tied it up. Next was the top player for Penticton.

West Vancouver Spurways - Always a Tough Competitor

I was standing between Storm McLaughlin’s mother and father at the time. I looked at Storm’s mother and said ‘this guy is going to miss’.  She looked at me, hoping I was right. I could see the pressure on his was so great. You could tell. He was their star. He had the weight of his Nation on his shoulders.  It sailed wide of the net. She looked at me and cheered. While we were generally adversaries, we were pulling for West Van now.  West Van’s next player was the Coach John’s  son.  He made no mistake and the other Vancouver team also finished with a big win.  I even helped with taking their pictures. I was very pleased for all of them.

Let's Get This Party Started!

But admittedly, happier for us.  The Rovers took the field and Dave the field marshall was setting up cones.  Dave and I had talked about about yesterday.  ”You know, it was not the best thing for the legs and a game today, to be in the sun, running around, staying up late and eating ice cream past dark. But it was a fun day and night.”. He was right.  It might have hurt our chances.

As the whistle sounded, we knew the question would soon be answered.  We looked like we were running in quicksand.  The field was a little easier than the first day, but it took us a while to get into the game. Terrace was aggressive and a good sized.  The city of Terrace was a lumber and industrial town.  You could imagine there was some wholesome families working up in their parts.  They could take us apart.  I looked over and saw Eric marking a giant.

Rover Nation Fans in Force

I had already been kicked off the coaching side (again) so I stood by Dave.  He looked at me with the ‘I hope I am wrong’ look in  his face.  ”Their lookin’ a wee bit sluggish”.  I gulped and answered in the affirmative. Not only that, we looked a bit rattled in some cases. Had the Rover River run dry?

But then it happened.  One of their guys took a pass and drove, unwisely it turns out, through the middle. He crossed midfield, but no further. In a thundering shake of the ground, he ran into a defiant Tommy Gun. Tommy had been figuring out his

Shifting Gears

ankle and Peter had helped him, so was late to start. He was now in the game and ‘The Gun’ had become ‘The Tank’.  I had never seen another guy stop so suddenly as that Terrace midfielder.

Apparently neither had his teammates.  The City of Terrace once boasted to be the Cedar Pole capital of the world.  The largest cedar pole in the world standing 50 meters was from Terrace and now stands in New York City. For a brief moment, they must have thought it had been moved to the centre of our back line. The crunch had inspire Rover Nation. We needed no second cue.

Got it Going...

In the sea of attacks that followed, we stalked them from every position. Liam was brilliant again. He just knew when it was time to raise his game.  He had won a free kick from the right mid quarter of the field. He sent a beauty diagonally across the field. It was a perfect header and the clutch of the pack went after it. We missed it narrowly.  A little while later, Kyle had found himself deep, deep on the right side. The ball was nearly crossed the end line.  Just then in one of the most beautiful left footed kicks you can see at any level, the finely struck ball arched out and around the Terrace keeper. It was surreal how it curled into the twine on the far side.  It was one of the prettiest we had ever seen.

Kieran's Header - Always Punching Above His Weight

Rover Nation went insane.  This reporter was hooting and hollering up and down the sidelines. I am sure Terrace parents wondered if the circus had come to town. The mayhem on the field was even more so. The lads know a sweet goal when they see one. Terrace heads lowered, slightly.

As the play started up again, life returned to the boys legs. They were pretty spent from the day before, but they could taste it now. They were in the biggest game and this was the last chance for the team to play together, as it is.  We are losing some of our best so they can move up the level.  As we were all happy for them, we knew this game was special. We were going out at our best.

A Rover Prayer Meeting

I walked back to talk to Nick Meslechko’s father.  He and I have been watching our lads play together for a long time now.  Nick was also on the team from Point Grey that would never ‘do anything good’.

I said I thought Nicky was putting in another very solid game. “I love the way he competes, the heart of a hockey player”.  It was then that Mike told me he had given special advice this morning.  ”I told him to go score a goal”.  We smiled.  I bet he would, too.

Unstoppable

And sure enough, a little while later, Nick was subbed in. The game was a solid one, but most of the play was in their end. Our back line held up beautifully, and beside, Seb the Magician was trolling our line.

Over the course of the tournament, Seb was unreal.  He challenged Terrace shooters without mercy.  He dove, he lept, he booted the ball well over their heads.  He is a treat to watch and one of the nicest guys, too. I guess Jerry and Rocea raised him well (at least he could HEAR Jerry…and understood PERFECTLY his intention!)

In thinking back, I think the best chances came either from the two Comox strikers, or from his own men.  The Gun had headed the ball right back to the net the game before, which Seb handled easily.  Late in the same game against Nelson, Ian had challenged and redirected a ball which Seb, stretched out on the ground ready for a save elsewhere, somehow got his hands on it.  The third chance for an own goal game when a ball bounced from Simon’s head and right towards the top shelf.  Seb the Saviour divined the ball into safe territory over the crossbar.  He is the Boy Wonder.

Back Four Is All About Teamwork

Just then, Nick got a beauty pass through and bolted like lightning to the top of the box. Two converged on him, but in pulling a move that he had done a thousand times in hockey,  he wedged his body between the ball and the defenders.  He muscled his way stepwise to the net. It seemed like slow motion. He let a beauty go and the keeper had no chance. Nobody was going to stop Nick on that day.

Learning my lesson, I took off in the opposite direction down the line.  I could scream my head off without inciting a posse to form on the Terrace.  We were up 2 – 0 and playing our best game.  I didn’t want to think of it yet, because there were many more battles still to be fought that day.

Support and Teamwork Won Two Medals

But win them we did.  Everyone was contributing, moving, heading, beating them to the ball. Our midfield was mobile and the back four built like a wall.  The Terrace defenders never recovered from the likes of Kyle, Liam, Jeff, Nick, David, BryJ or any of our lads.  And we had plenty of horsepower to fire at them.  It was a thing of beauty.  Three blasts of the whistle was all it needed to hear Rover Nation in heaven.  It was pure joy, nothing like I had ever experience in sport.  The guys had done it. The coaches, trainers,  parents and siblings had all been there and been a special part of it.

A Fitting End

Though this win was fantastic it was even more fun for the boys to douse Leigh over the head with the big bucket of ice and water.  Naturally, he started throwing ice back at the lads.  They scattered like flies.

I think after that, we were all on Cloud 9.  We congratulated a great effort by a great team, Terrace, the lads and the coaching staff turned out to be good guys.   They were a good team but that day was ours.  Adam turned to me and said ‘I am really proud of Eric and this team would run circles around our (U17) team.”  I think there is no greater praise than that of an older and also talented brother.

A Truly Great Moment

Later each Rover was called and a medal awarded. It was such a gas.  We had been watching each of the guys develop on their own over the years. This was a great achievement. But I think what we really felt at that special moment, that this was a special team. There is no denying that. This IS a special team.

And that is how I came to the belief that being a Rover, is a state of mind, an attitude.  To go for it, to go beyond where you think you can go, to help each other and encourage the best from each other.  While some of our guys will play for other teams this year, they will always be Rovers. Nothing can take that away from us.

A Rover Nation Victorious

It is interesting to me that of all the teams of Point Grey Soccer over the years, that the Rovers were the last Point Grey standing.  No other team will bear that name. We were  the last in action.  And we won the BC Bronze medal.

But the awards were not done yet.  The other coaches, referees and organisers had voted on the best overall sports team, in terms of character. We were that team. We won it because these guys, being the last Point Grey to ever write in its history book, put together the best characters, the best effort and the best season in our short Rover history.

Congratulations to one and all.  You should be proud of everything you have done. It was a pleasure to watch and be a part of it.

In closing the season, I would just like to thank and wish great success to the Rovers and their families that have been selected to play for the Metro team and the high performance league.  To Seb Kriwoy, Liam McClean, Kyle Barber and Scott Kerr, we will miss your competitive spirit and styles of play and leadership.  We look forward to years of continuing friendship and hope our paths will always cross.  You have all been a great part of this team and will always be Rovers.  Good luck, one and all.

Peter Ormesher

Rovers Love Water

Harley Gives Encouragement…But No Help

Resting the Legs for the Big Game…

Rover Celebrities

Rover Ready To Go

Rovers Everywhere

A Touch of Class

Another Touch of Class

With Much Thanks….

West Vancouver Spurways – Always a Tough Competitor

Let’s Get This Party Started!

Shifting Gears

Rover Nation Fans in Force

Kieran’s Header – Always Punching Above His Weight

A Rover Prayer Meeting

Back Four Is All About Teamwork

Got it Going…

Support and Teamwork Won Two Medals

Unstoppable

A Fitting End

A Rover Nation Victorious

A Truly Great Moment

Shootout in Summerland

Here are a few pictures from our game three of the Championship, the do or die game against Nelson, just after we saw West Van play to a 1 – 0 win and put all the pressure on us to win by 2 goals.

One of the enduring memories of our adventure in the Okanagan is recognizing how large Rover Nation actually is…Kyle’s extended family was incredible and supporting our power forward and this picture reminds me of the great people that surround the lads as they work and play the beautiful game.

Kyle's Kool Klan

Some great soccer played on this day, as you can see…

 

 

 

 

 

Kyle’s Kool Klan

Rover Nation Takes on the Best of the Province

I once heard you do not measure a person by the size of shoe or wallet, but by the size of their heart.  Nowhere was that better demonstrated than on the pitches of Penticton and Summerland this past week, where the Point Grey Rovers and the ‘entourage’ rolled in for its first Provincial Soccer Championship.

The road to getting there was not an easy one.  We come from one of the toughest leagues, sporting solid sides from West Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver and Dunbar.  All capable teams.  To beat the best of them, then go through highly aggressive Port Coquitlam and then North Delta teams, the first being undefeated and the second sporting the nicest looking warm ups (cough, cough), were themselves great feats.  Rover Nation might have been satisfied by making it to the Coastal Cup final, and that was it.

But our hearts are bigger than that and our character stronger.  Winning a thriller in Richmond to a talented West Van team seemed to be the peak of our season. Who would know what lay ahead, after a several month layoff.

The trip’s start might have been a sign of bad things to come. The Rover Nation News ‘van’ had been serviced early that day and was ready to take on the great BC roads. Somebody forgot to tell the car, as it sputtered and coughed to a grinding halt, just past Langley, far from any garage.  As a back up plan the gracious and ever thoughtful Jessica with Kieran were coming along the highway just as BCAA’s tow truck pulled up. With one quarter of the Back Four safely stowed onboard, assuring the team of the presence of a diminutive left back (with a gigantic heart), the news team was towed into a rapidly closing Abbotsford.

The News was not looking so good.  Calls to every car rental agency turned up squat.  The country capital of Canada, Merrit, was hosting a country, western and hillbilly party of epic proportions. Worse, the German owner of a German garage where we were towed, did not fix German cars.   The news team were on suicide watch.  Just then we figured out where another might be and the anxious tow truck driver took us there.  He was figuring we might be at this for a while.

We had missed closing by about fifteen minutes, but the owner and wonderful service liason Linda were still inside.  After my sob story was out of the way, and an agreement to ‘maybe look at it tomorrow or the next day’ was converted to ‘right away, first thing’, we walked out to survey the scene.  The Greyhound bus back to Vancouver was looking to be the sensible choice.  Jessica pulled in and while the tears of woe fell on her shoulder, Linda, looking like the fairy Godmother, came out with some news. “The lady we were waiting for to take our courtesy car just called, she doesn’t need it.  It is yours if you like it, free of charge!”  Luck was on at least this Rover’s side. Maybe that was a sign of what was ahead….who knew.

Number 7 safely stored in the back of the powerful BMW loner, a good laugh behind us, we were on the road again within 2 hours of our own car’s near death experience.

And perhaps this best describes our first experiences on the field.  High heat, long grass, not playing in two months, not much time to climatize to the severe Okanagan conditions, must have felt for the boys like their engines were having trouble getting up to tournament speed.  Our first moments on the pitch, the legs were feeling like lead, and the ball was sticking to the grass like stick ‘um.  It rolled like a medicine ball. Our kicks were either under the ball, where the grass caught the cleats, or we were hitting the ball higher up, unable to put any air under it.  The coaching staff and the players were having a good head scratch at the half.

Our first goal I did not see.  Adam described David Barbeau’s shot as ‘a beauty’, starting for the far side and hooking toward the net, kissing off the inside far post as the keeper stood bewildered.   We were up 1 – 0 against a well coached and determined West Van team.  Rover Nation was going ballistic while I walked back from the car.

Maybe I should have stayed there. Regrettably, they tied us near the end of the half and the game ended in a draw.  We were grateful of the point and moved on to the second game.  Again Seb the Saviour was on his game again.  Just a start for this amazing twine tender.

Next up was Comox who looked to be playing with two fully grown men on their squad. They were a class act and the forwards were highly skilled.

It is almost unfair to draw attention to any one player, as there were so many moments from everyone who played this past week.  One of the guys who did sometimes put the team on his back, in fact the other team too, was Kyle.  His determination and heart around the ball was driving the keepers and defensive lines to visit crisis counsellors between halves.

The style is often the same. A ball comes anywhere near him, and into action he goes. Kyle works his magic best when the other team is also fighting for the ball.  To the other side, it must feel like a tornado of arms and legs coming at them, not unlike Bugs Bunny’s Tasmanian Devil.  Leaping, whirling, twisting and driving ahead, the ball squirts ahead and a race to the death appears on.  As he inches ahead of the defenders, the sidelines rise in voice and to their feet, because we know what is coming.  At first one, then two defenders fall on him, and he is either going to score or go down trying.  These times, he did not go down. We went ahead early in the first half 1 – 0, carrying the hopes of Rover Nation to the heavens.

But Comox was not going to fold like a cheap shirt.  They were led by one of two Man-boys, who showed great class and poise throughout the tournament. But it was their strikers who were to put two good goals by us.  A third was scored by a funny bounce on the uneven turf and many had thought we were out of it.

But not Liam and Kyle, who then turned it on.  They energized the lads with tough play and again Seb soared to keep us in it.  We had two penalties called against us. Seb stopped both.

Our second goal game late, and another few good chances were earned by us. Interestingly, though we dropped this one 3 – 2, and likely a shot at gold, we still held our heads high and looked ahead to the next game.  The character of the team really showed when no excuses were made, we regrouped and set out for the rest of the day.

Perhaps it was good for all that coaches Leigh and Peter, joined by team psychologists Don and Reg (I think) split to start their own Whino, I mean Winery, Tour. Peter J, Wayne Lee and Peter O sought the outdoorsy experience of golf at Twin Lakes Golf Club, aided by a few soothing examples of the locally brewed products, to put the right perspective on the game.

The lads however, were on to bigger and better things.  Apparently the afternoon ahead was wet and wild.  In looking at the pictures of the lads on bumper boats, armed with squirtguns, and various assorted games and challenges, it was clear the boys were taking their minds off the game.   And with the biggest one to come the next day, against Nelson, it was good that they did.

One of the additions for the next match was our co-mentor Dave Hendry.  He had foregone the invitation to earn a little scratch (as we grown ups need to do), postponed it actually, and brought the lovely and engaging Kimberly (hopefully the future Mrs Hendry, if you ask the lads) to the Okanagan.  Our next and most important game was set in hills of the picturesque Summerland, birthplace of Kyle B.  Joining us for the tournament was Kyle’s super family, including his Grandmother AND Great Grandmother.  With that kind of mojo joining the Rover Nation, is was no wonder the lads were ready to find their next level.

After a brief but solid warm up and conversation with the coaching team, the team took the field.  The boys started like shot from a cannon.  They tore into an unuspecting Nelson team and never, ever let up.  Scoring chances were falling at our feet.  Micah had a couple of great ones and with the tall grass teeing up the ball so high, they went sailing over the open net.

The first goal came from the foot of Kyle, another rampage into the box with Nelson Nation on his back.  Next up came a great goal by Liam, who was having a brilliant tournament.  There is something about our midfield that other teams must find frightening. When we are playing Rover football, there is no time or space for the other team and when we have the ball, watch out. Liam was always good, though he likely thought otherwise, being a modest and thoughtful team guy.  But he was devastating with and without the ball, running into space, driving his shoulder into a hard driving defender.  It was such a reward to see him play so well and develop from the first time Eric and I met him.

The standings were now jam packed.   West Van had won the early game and we needed to win 1 – 0 to tie them or win by two goals. Anything less relegated us to play for 5th of 8.  While 5th in the Province would have been okay, the boys knew that our game was getting better.  When the Nelson squad scored to close the game to that dreaded one goal difference, not one Rover dropped their head.  The cross by the forward to the other striker was perfect and the low header was perfect.  It was unstoppable.

In the late moments of the second half, it came.  A through ball drew the keeper out of the net and off to his left side.  He looked up to see Kyle stampeding towards him. His life and tournament flashing before him, the keeper bobbled the ball, his heart likely skipping a few beats.  Kyle looked up to see Brydon streaking unmarked into the centre of the net. Rover Nation stood on its feet while in slow motion, Brydon directed a perfect cross with a perfect header. The news team needed oxygen.

Just then Seb went flying by. A pack had mauled Brydon and Kyle and Seb was jumping in.  Just then, we realized that the other team had lined up for the kick off and a seasoned referee reminded the boys of more ball to play.  Back flew Seb to our net.

The score ended 3 – 1 and the boys were rewarded for their hard work and big hearts. Leigh, Peter, Jerry, Kathy and Dave were so thrilled for the lads.  The Newsteam had been kicked off the sidelines at the request of the other team (who me, get excited?) and it was great to hear the joy emanating from the lads.  Just then a first class coach John from West Vancouver and his son, came over to congratulate Leigh and the team, even though we had just knocked them out of playing for a medal.  While we are competitive rivals to West Van, we have a lot of respect for them and their supporters. They played a great tournament, too.

The next day, was the bronze medal game against Prince George.  But that story will come tomorrow….Rover Nation News needs to earn a little scratch right now.

All Good Men

If any Rover or parent was asked just before Christmas what would be our expectations for the team by the seasons end, it might be we would have been satisfied with a third place finish….in our league.   Win a Cup game or two, well that would be nice.  We come from a very strong league, where West Van, Burnaby, North Van, Dunbar and Point Grey find lots of challenge in winning any game.  Coming in third in the league would have been a good achievement.

But something happened in and around early December, something that will stay with us the rest of our life. While we were never beaten badly, we were always in games, suffering only from slow starts.  Sometime in December, we started to believe in ourselves and then started to play with passion as a team. And what a difference it made.

I always thought that Cup matches were just a part of the season, and winning a Cup match was nothing special, not much different from league matches.  Then we played Dunbar.  While we were missing our coach to a vacation, kissing grandparents and new nieces and nephews and testing a book tour in England, the team woke up to an early morning frost on the new Jericho field. That day, we came out of the gates like fury unleashed and dominated a capable Dunbar team. We won 3 – 0 and it was the first time we must have looked at each other and just said…wow.

Who would know that we would go undefeated from then on in Cup play, finding ourselves in the Coastal Cup final against arch-rival West Vancouver.   Kyle scored a beauty, Seb the Savior saved a few more and we were the Champs.  Nobody really took the Provincial Cup that seriously…we were happy to go to Penticton to play.  Well, nobody other than Dave and Leigh and they were determined to get the team into shape for this 4 day tilt in the Okanagan.  Four games in four days, at temperatures unseen in Point Grey by the Sea….who would think we had any chance.

Tying West Van on Day one was excellent, though we thought we had a chance to win.  The second day we lost to Comox in a tough one, scoring our second goal late in the game and realizing that maybe we could have won.  Our greatest test would come in day 3, when we faced a determined Nelson squad.  We needed to win by 2 to finish second in our group, which would enable us to play for the bronze medal, third in the Province.

Just before game time, the boys were treated to the familar brogue from Scotland; Dave Hendry had forgone an important coaching job to drive with his partner the lovely Kimberly, up to Penticton to add to the support base of this amazing group of guys.  The combination of Leigh, Peter Mac and Dave gave the lads a foundation to help them with this tough Nelson team.

If you met Kyle on the street and had a chance to talk to him, there would be no way you could think there is a Killer in him. But there is.  In another ‘made in Barber’ moment Kyle battled with the defenders, literally carrying them on his back as he made his way into the box. Once there, he was going to get fouled and win a penalty, or score outright. This time he did not need the penalty. An early goal with about 5 minutes gone gave this Rover team a huge boost.  In fact, that goal was followed by successive chances right in front of the net. Micah, Kyle, Liam, Harley all had good chances.  The keeper was playing well but luck was keeping them in the game.

Then Liam scored a beauty going up 2 – 0….

(to be continued….Eric is calling me to get in the car)

Rovers – West Van Battle in Cup Opener

In one of the most exciting, seesawing games in Rover Nation history, these two teams battled in searing heat to a 1- 1 draw.

David Barbeau of the Rovers started our Cup party rolling with a high,  bending shot that curled and kissed the post, bewildering the goalie who watched it sail in. The early goal woke our boys up and the next half of the game was ours.

Then West Van, fielding just enough of a team to have only two spares, battled back.  They were first to get the feel of the longer natural grass turf, which our team never plays on.  The ball rolled half as fast and bounced half as high.  Many times our passes had insufficient force to find their target, which caused problems for us.

Just before the half, West Van popped one over Seb’s head on a shot from the eighteen yard line.   The second half, while both teams had chances at either end, failed to see a goal.

Our team had not played a match since our Cup win in late April. Two months without a match slows the feet, mind and instinct, but we managed to finish the game strong.

Kyle Barber had a few good chances to put us up, and likely win, late in the game. A few good balls to the power forward was all he needed.  He plays with such power and determination, the West Van defensive force must have heaved a great sigh of relief at the end.  On one play, running from the middle of the field, Kyle punched the ball forward and ran onto it. He had a step on the other player but then his show flew off his foot, flying high behind him. In full stride, Kyle looked around but never slowed. He kept running and with his socked foot let loose a low curler that just missed the far side post.  What an effort.

Liam played another solid game and a whistle was blown when he and another player were battling out.  They were just at each other so hard, the ref blew the whistle….but it was an amazing effort.

We go on tomorrow early morning to face Comox Valley, and early games are not the Rover’s strength. We earned a point today, but 3 would have been better.  We are still in it, but there is much soccer to play.    Pictures to follow on the next post.

Workin’ It

Dazzling Us With Jeff's Skill

Those where fortune or success just landed on their lap will always say it is the things we work hard for in life that are the most satisfying.  It is something about the journey combined of hard work, toughing it out, and the good laughs along the way, really make anything that you achieve that much more enjoyable.

And so it is with Rover Nation.

I remember about a year ago, at our first practice to meet the new players and kick the ball around.  I was happy to see the guys that Leigh had picked to battle for us in the approaching year.  Scotty, Micah, Kyle, Kieran and Nigel were all new to Rover Nation, and they brought with them their own skills, work ethic and a ton of character that strengthened our team.  I knew then we had promise…though, to be honest I would have never guessed we would go on to do what the lads did. We became a team this year and today, just watching the lads go through coach Leigh and David’s drills reminded me just how far this journey has come.

Gunning High

Wednesday was a bit zoo-like because the long lost Tommy Gun tore free of the basketball crowd and recent autograph signing to come and kick the ball around.  The boys loved it. A roar erupted when he flung himself over the fence onto the pitch.

One of the drills David Hendry created for the boys is a gut wrenching endurance challenge that has torn the hearts out of lesser men. Not these Rovers, though. Even the Harlmaster was doing well Wednesday, this time not spitting his teeth out unlike the last time. The made-in-Scotland near death experience is getting the Rovers fit for fight.

Of course the future Mayor among us, David B., was busy trying negotiate an easier start to the drill, trying to by-pass the dreaded bunny hops. But Leigh was having none of it. You would think there is a bit of lawyer in the young politi-copeful.

Nick Will Be Ready

I am not sure if you players have stepped back and recognized how far you have come. You are a good team. You are quick, strong and play as a team. Within a few weeks, with a little more effort, you can be a great team.  I think the steps you are taking now, with some more practice and training on your own, might just be one of the most interesting things you do in youth.   Not many people get a chance to play with friends in something as special as Provincial Championship.

I remember a few years ago one coach telling me that the Point Grey soccer players will NEVER amount to much in soccer. He said we are too soft. That we don’t work hard enough, and we do not take the game seriously when they play.  He told me that we parents are not tough on them enough.  He inferred that we parents are the problem.

European Torture

In winning that Coastal Cup and learning we have a chance to play for the provincial title, I am reminded of his words. I always thought he was wrong, that shame worked only sometime to get the best performance from a person.  I told him our job as coaches, was not just to win, or play better….but it is to help each of us become  young men…determined, motivated by the sheer joy of effort and success that comes with it.

I also knew that with trying your best, you are going to come up short. Failure is part of life and learning how to overcome setbacks, build on the experience and move forward, learning as we go, that is the way we achieve great things…

And now we are on to see what destiny is in store for us.  Keep working like this guys, you are doing well.

Thank you Leigh, David and Jerry for doing so much for us.

PS: We bounced that coach’s team from the tourney, some time ago…

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2011 Coastal Cup Champions! – Unbelievable

A text message at 6 30 am from Eric should have warned me that today was going to be different. Why? Because I was already awake!

We had looked forward nervously to this day ever since we out-battled Delta United to get us through to the final of the Coastal Cup.  Since that day, two questions remained…who would we face and would it be a dreaded ‘early game’?

We Rovers and fans need our sleep. It so happened that too many Rover games started before our normal Saturday wake up time…which would if you study the circadian sleep cycle imbeded in us would be a perfect 10 am.

Every single early game was a struggle this year. Games at 8, 9 or even 10 am tended to interrupt the cycle that we Rovers had forged over years of laziness practice and conditioning. In early games, we would often give up an early goal or two, get it from coach Leigh at halftime, and find a way to score and make it a game.  One team who we struggled with early this year was our nemesis, West Vancouver Spuraways, who’s parents served Corn Flakes spiked with a double expresso, or something stronger.

The day after our Delta United win, word came down that we would face West Van (yikes), in Richmond, early (double yikes).  We had faced West Van twice this season, losing both games.  I remember that last game, a cold early morning on home UBC turf.  They scored quickly, within 23 seconds, and added another later when we faced a bit of confusion in the defensive zone.  We were able to regain our feet and Kyle found the net just before the end of the game. Interestingly, that one goal gave us a hint of confidence, that this team, as good as they were, could be solved.  Rover Nation News team was there.

Our week saw two practices, the second at Jericho with our brilliant friend David Hendry.  Dave has been instrumental in helping our boys find that next level in sport, one that combines improved skill, work ethic, thinking and passion.  Any historian following this team would find the change came just after Christmas, when we faced a strong and well coached Dunbar team.  Ever since our play has been inspired by a belief that we will go forward as a team and that we will play for each other. It has made a difference in our practices and our games.  We found ourselves in that final for that very reason.

Coach Leigh suggested we get there an hour early for the game.  Eric insisted I get there earlier still. We arrived at 7:30 and blinked at each other when we saw that nobody was there. Were we at the right place?

Eventually, manager Kathy, Ian and the rest of the gang rolled in.  We were all feeling a bit nervous, but as I said to Eric the night before, the nerves you feel are a good sign. Rather than feel fear from them, use them as a catalyst to take your game up a notch.  As all good advice from parents goes, Eric nodded and then went back to feeling nervous. He told me Saturday morning that he had hardly slept a wink.

Leigh’s thoughts before the game we calming, reassuring.  “You deserve to be here, you earned it. You are a good team and I need to say very little.”  All eyes were on him, eager to get the game started.  “Our game plan is simple, let’s force them high and hard, get on them and give them no room.  Let’s go get them from the first whistle, and the rest will come.”  It was incredible how loose and relaxed these guys were in the face of such a big game, against a team we’ve never beaten.

The game was like a chess match.  Two very strong teams, going head to head for every single ball.  The West Van boys had trained hard and were in great form. They moved the ball around, heads up and handled themselves very well.  Much of the game was played in the heart of the field. It was very tough for them to get into our box as they had to run through a determined midfield and defensive line to get a decent shot.

Seb was lights out again as he raced forward to smother anything getting into the box. Three or four times West Van strikers were bearing down on his sliding saves. Each one he handled and this must have made the other team grow in frustration.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie.  I went over to the bench to get a read on things.  Everyone was calm but puffing. There was a lot of action on the field. I looked at Eric. His face was bright red and he was blowing pretty hard. As I returned to the parents side, I had this thought. “We gave up no early goal, so compared to other games, it was like we were up 1 – 0!”.  Twisted logic is sometimes the most helpful.

Coming back to the spectator side, I was having trouble finding a good place from where to shoot pictures.  The sidelines were packed by fans from both teams. I then saw that one of the stands was nearly empty and I set up atop it.  The view was great from there, but as I soon figured out, I was deep in enemy territory.  Surrounding me were a throng of West Van parents.  I needed to be careful.  The few times I cheered, I was met with polite but penetrating stares.   I was going to get lynched.

One of the things you do hear there is the chatter by the opposing fans. They were very impressed with the way their team played.  “We are playing our best game” said one.  “They are passing and attacking so well, for sure we will win” said another.  And they were right. They had a great squad.

Emotion soon turned up in the second half.  As the game wore on, the tackles were hard but clean. Both teams wanted this badly.  It seemed that West Van were adjusting their defense. Over the course of the half, they peeled one then two D-men from the back line and sent them forward.  The pressure was getting intense.

Maddog had been fighting flu-like symptoms for the past month and the battle was hard on him. Leigh loves this back 4 but rest was needed. Scottie came in for the ‘Dog, while speedy Kieran came in for Eric the Red, our mini-Viking.  They turned out to be great coaching moves.

With about 8 minutes left, we took the ball deep into blue territory.  I am not clear on the details but Kyle found himself with a ball and a few guys on his back again at the top of their box.  He shook them loose, the ball squirted toward the goalie. Kyle did not hesitate. The game, the season and the Cup bounced in front of them. The goalie made a step forward.  But so did the Killer. There is nothing more determined that a true striker going for a loose ball. Ours pounced on the ball and slide a beauty diagonally before the keeper and into the far corner.  As the ball gathered in the excess twine, our boys gathered around a jubilant Kyle.  We mauled him as we felt that this might just be enough.  We quickly however, came back to earth, jogged back to the middle and cleared our heads of Cup dreams.  We had work to do.  While the parents were hooting and celebrating, I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders in enemy territory. “Keeper nearly had it” I shrugged. Inside me it was like the Festival of Lights.

Nobody on the parent’s side had the slightest clue to how much time remained.  Estimates ran from 10 to 20 minutes. Time would pass excruciatingly slow.  But rather than slow the game down, our boys picked it up another notch. It was the most amazing thing.  The goal had given us belief and confidence and a few times we had chances down low. Liam, Kyle and Andreas all had chances to tuck in an insurance goal.  We nearly needed it.

In what will be remembered for years to come, one of their best strikers gathered in the ball at the top of our box. He let fly for the top right corner one of the hardest shots of the game.  Seb had great position, but it was an even better shot, which went right for the top corner.  Seb then did what only Seb could do….he took two steps and leaped diagonally high and over to the corner.  He punched the perfect strike so hard that it shot well out of bounds. Rover Nation roared from everywhere in Richmond, it seemed. We could not believe it.  West Van parents could believe it even less. They looked at me in great disappointment.  They knew, as most everyone did, that they had just seen the save of the tournament. Later a parent told me “what a keeper you have. That save was on one of our best, he put a good foot on it, we all thought it was in.” I shook their hands and congratulated them on a well played game “So did we, my friend, so did we”.

In true form, Jerry had organized taking over the Cheshire Cheese Inn on Dunbar.  I walked in to a thriving hum and saw parents, players, fans and the media laughing and celebrating.  It was such a special time, it was such a special day. It capped off one of the greatest seasons I can recall from my days in sport.

Rover Nation is a proud nation today. Proud of not just the win, but the effort that it took to forge the bonds of success that come through teamwork.  It is an amazing group of guys and coaches that built this Rover Nation.  It will remain one of the most enduring experiences and memories for all of us.  We are so proud of you guys.  We are so thankful of Leigh, David, Peter, Jerry and Kathy.  I am sure the players thank of all fans and supporters that cheer from the sidelines, and from around the world.

Congratulations, Rover Nation….you earned this.