BYSI president, Chelsea Bull and executive director, Kelly Villeneuve pictured here with the plaque for Member Organization of the Year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Recognized by Sask Soccer

Battlefords Youth Soccer named Member Organization of the Year

Mar 21, 2023 | 3:18 PM

Battlefords Youth Soccer Inc., has been recognized by the Saskatchewan Soccer Association as 2022 Member Organization of the Year.

Of the more than 80 member organizations in the province, BYSI was recognized for their many partnerships with First Nations communities, their free soccer clinics for new Canadians through the Immigration Resource Centre, free clinics for low-income families and increase in overall registrations.

Nearly 50 per cent of the Battlefords Youth Soccer registrations are Indigenous players, with another close to 40 per cent of their total registered players being female.

With a high number of certified coaches, the increase in registrations to the competitive Battlefords United Football Club program, and success on the field, the team was also highlighted for having recently identified as a ‘Quality Soccer Program’ through Canada Soccer Club Licensing.

Additionally, as first announced here, program staples Kat Huxley, Serinda Baptiste, and Kelly Villeneuve have also been named as coaches for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia this July.

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As executive director of BYSI, Villeneuve said it’s nice to see the program recognized for all the hard work of the coaches, board members, volunteers and others who helped them navigate an especially challenging last few years through the pandemic, and continue to make the program what it is, with even more plans for growth in the coming years.

“Our board and staff have worked very hard the past few years following our strategic plan the best we could through the COVID-19 years,” Villeneuve said.

“We believe 2023 will be even better for BYSI, as we roll out some of our new initiatives including new soccer kits for the kids, an updated website, targeting local sponsors, more soccer clinics in the summer, and an inclusion program coming in the fall.”

Registrations are currently open for the 2023 soccer season, and are available at the BYSI website. The registration deadline for the spring season will be April 6.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1