Victoria Highlanders Press Release - www.victoriahighlandersfc.com
Friday, July 17
VICTORIA, BC - If you build it, they will come. Alex Campbell Jr. was not building a baseball diamond in the middle of a corn field, but he used the same mentality in bringing a United Soccer Leagues franchise to the capital of B.C.
The Victoria Highlanders, who are playing their final two games of the season this weekend (July 17th - Kitsap Pumas, July 19th - Vancouver Whitecaps Res.), have struggled to get results on the field but thrived off it. Unfortunate to earn one of three places in the PDL Northwest Division playoffs, the fans, all ten thousand of them who have gone past the turnstiles thus far, have spoken to the city's passion for the beautiful game.
"The response we have had at the gate has been tremendous," beamed General Manager Drew Finerty. "It truly solidified our beliefs that Victoria has a strong and passionate soccer community. Of course, we couldn't take anything for granted, but we were very optimistic that given our fans appetite for quality soccer, combined with our ability to market the program and to partner with great media and corporate sponsors, it was possible to have had this type of success at the gate."
In addition to a strong fan base, the organization has been successful in developing young players looking for their chance to compete in the PDL. "We're more than just what appears on the field," said Steve Simonson, Director of youth development. "Our goal is about creating opportunities for young players." The Premier Development League is the proving ground for players looking to take the next step in their soccer careers, and the Highlanders coaching staff will be working diligently in the off season looking for ways to improve their roster.
"It's important for us to educate young players; for them to understand there is the next level for them to aspire to," stated Simonson. "The quality of the PDL is much higher than what local players are used to, so we must provide local players the tools required to be successful at this level. Darren Jones is an example to other aspiring youths that if you come in with the right attitude and compete on the field, regardless of your age you will have that chance to play at this level."
A year ago, Jones was about to walk away from soccer altogether. Now the 17-year-old midfielder is playing on the Victoria Highlanders first team, and has gone from not planning a post secondary education to accepting a soccer scholarship to Western Michigan University. "We are here to provide opportunities to players, that otherwise may not have been available," commented Finerty. "Darrens' story is one that we hope to hear on a consistent basis moving forward."
Everything within the Highlanders organization looks bright, and fans can expect to see these off-field successes translate into a winning on field product next year.
