A league of our own! (With a little help from our new friends)
After thoroughly enjoying our first season but finding that the younger ladies were generally faster, stronger, more talented, and more experienced than us, we put a call out to women over 30 in Chilliwack and formed our own old ladies league.
Halfway through we have a record of two wins, three ties, and three losses, and except for one 10-0 blowout, they have all been close games. We were tied for third place mid-season.
More importantly, we've continued to have a great time out on the field!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Aging soccer moms seek same for on-field fun
Soccer moms seek other over-30s for spring women’s league
The Rosedale Rockers love their soccer, but they’d like it better if they could play against opponents their own age.
The Rockers are a team consisting of women from their mid-30s to
mid-40s. When they formed last year, most had never played organized soccer. They found themselves playing against much younger and more experienced teams in Chilliwack’s regular seven-a-side women’s spring league.
“We enjoyed the games and had a lot of fun and got better as the season went on,” comments team manager Cheryl Hagen, “While the regular league will continue this year, we’d really like it if we could inspire a few more over-30 teams to form so that we can have a separate spring league for older women.”
The Rockers didn’t win a game all season, but they scored some goals and won the team spirit award at the end of the season in recognition of their sense of fun, sportsmanship, and irreverence.
The Rockers are all soccer moms used to watching from the sidelines, but the tables were turned as their many kids cheered them on during their games, or they escaped their family responsibilities for mom’s night out twice a week.
In addition to the fitness, fun, and outlet for some healthy aggression that the experience provided, the Rockers say that they valued the chance to put themselves first for a change, make friends, and be an example to their kids.
“Being on our soccer team has been rejuvenating for my soul,” said Emma Blaschek. "I have treasured every minute of being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 12 years, but there have been times that I felt I lost a little of my own self. Now the kids are older and since I joined the Rockers I feel that I now have something that is all about me. There is something special about being on a team with such great women.”
“At first I laughed at the notion of putting myself first twice a week,” said Heidi Wiebe. “I didn’t think I could do it. But joining the team and getting back into sports has been a great self-confidence booster for me and it helped me get in better shape too. And our kids get to be proud of us.”
“I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the challenge of getting physical and playing against the other women,” said Trish Martin. “I also loved the team camaraderie and how our friendships grew off the field too. I used to see more of my friends, but after getting married and having kids we lost touch. It’s good to hang out with other ladies again. I’ve always loved sports, having fun, and getting physical. Now the door is open to all of that again.”
“The women’s seven-a-side soccer season was one of the best times in my life. It brought together lots of different women who are now even closer friends to me and each other, which is a wonderful thing to watch and experience,” said Cheryl Hagen. “At the same time I was doing something a little selfish for myself, which I have not done in many years. To add to it all I was getting exercise and having so many laughs!”
"I hadn't played in 21 years and didn't think I'd ever play again," said Anne Russell. "It was amazing and very satisfying to return to soccer over the age of 40 and find that I still had some of my old moves and could blast the ball up the field and have fun doing so."
The Rockers are currently recruiting players aged 30 and over for a proposed spring seven-a-side league. Each team may have one player under 30.
“We’re encouraging interested women to contact us individually, and we’ll place them on a team, or to form their own group of up to 12 players and join as a team,” says coordinator Tara Field. “All levels of experience are welcome, even beginners.”
Games will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Vedder Middle School, starting in early May. Game times will be 6 or 7:15 pm. League cost will be $500 per team, or $50 per individual player.
Teams can have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 12. The season will run from April 22 to June 19.
Organizers are hosting an open house/scrimmage session on Sunday, March
30 from 1 to 3 pm, at Vedder Middle School. Drop by and ask questions or come in cleats and shin pads and kick a ball around.
For more information contact Tara Field at 794-9821 or ronkfield@shaw.ca
The Rosedale Rockers love their soccer, but they’d like it better if they could play against opponents their own age.
The Rockers are a team consisting of women from their mid-30s to
mid-40s. When they formed last year, most had never played organized soccer. They found themselves playing against much younger and more experienced teams in Chilliwack’s regular seven-a-side women’s spring league.
“We enjoyed the games and had a lot of fun and got better as the season went on,” comments team manager Cheryl Hagen, “While the regular league will continue this year, we’d really like it if we could inspire a few more over-30 teams to form so that we can have a separate spring league for older women.”
The Rockers didn’t win a game all season, but they scored some goals and won the team spirit award at the end of the season in recognition of their sense of fun, sportsmanship, and irreverence.
The Rockers are all soccer moms used to watching from the sidelines, but the tables were turned as their many kids cheered them on during their games, or they escaped their family responsibilities for mom’s night out twice a week.
In addition to the fitness, fun, and outlet for some healthy aggression that the experience provided, the Rockers say that they valued the chance to put themselves first for a change, make friends, and be an example to their kids.
“Being on our soccer team has been rejuvenating for my soul,” said Emma Blaschek. "I have treasured every minute of being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 12 years, but there have been times that I felt I lost a little of my own self. Now the kids are older and since I joined the Rockers I feel that I now have something that is all about me. There is something special about being on a team with such great women.”
“At first I laughed at the notion of putting myself first twice a week,” said Heidi Wiebe. “I didn’t think I could do it. But joining the team and getting back into sports has been a great self-confidence booster for me and it helped me get in better shape too. And our kids get to be proud of us.”
“I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the challenge of getting physical and playing against the other women,” said Trish Martin. “I also loved the team camaraderie and how our friendships grew off the field too. I used to see more of my friends, but after getting married and having kids we lost touch. It’s good to hang out with other ladies again. I’ve always loved sports, having fun, and getting physical. Now the door is open to all of that again.”
“The women’s seven-a-side soccer season was one of the best times in my life. It brought together lots of different women who are now even closer friends to me and each other, which is a wonderful thing to watch and experience,” said Cheryl Hagen. “At the same time I was doing something a little selfish for myself, which I have not done in many years. To add to it all I was getting exercise and having so many laughs!”
"I hadn't played in 21 years and didn't think I'd ever play again," said Anne Russell. "It was amazing and very satisfying to return to soccer over the age of 40 and find that I still had some of my old moves and could blast the ball up the field and have fun doing so."
The Rockers are currently recruiting players aged 30 and over for a proposed spring seven-a-side league. Each team may have one player under 30.
“We’re encouraging interested women to contact us individually, and we’ll place them on a team, or to form their own group of up to 12 players and join as a team,” says coordinator Tara Field. “All levels of experience are welcome, even beginners.”
Games will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Vedder Middle School, starting in early May. Game times will be 6 or 7:15 pm. League cost will be $500 per team, or $50 per individual player.
Teams can have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 12. The season will run from April 22 to June 19.
Organizers are hosting an open house/scrimmage session on Sunday, March
30 from 1 to 3 pm, at Vedder Middle School. Drop by and ask questions or come in cleats and shin pads and kick a ball around.
For more information contact Tara Field at 794-9821 or ronkfield@shaw.ca
Thursday, July 5, 2007
My soccer hero
This won a contest on CBC Radio and will be read out on July 6 between 6 and 8:40 am.
Also won Cheryl and I tix to a U20 FIFA game!
My soccer hero is Cheryl Hagen of Chilliwack BC.
This spring, after years of standing on the sidelines as soccer mom and
occasional kids’ coach, Cheryl decided that mums deserved to have fun
too. She hatched the idea of forming a team to play in the local
seven-a-side ladies league.
One night over wine she convinced myself and another friend to play,
and then the campaign began. By week’s end she had 12 players
recruited, ranging in age from 32 to 49.
The fact that nine of the mums had never played before didn’t faze
her. She convinced our friend’s 14-year-old son to coach and we were
off, practising diligently, showing up punctually for every game, and
usually losing by a double digit margin.
We whooped when we occasionally scored, were jovial and motherly
towards our much younger opponents, and had a vodka cooler ritual after
every game.
We improved by leaps and bounds, bonded terrifically, and had a great
time taking time out for ourselves.
After not playing for 21 years, I was delighted to be on the field
again, so the Rosedale Rockers send cheers to Cheryl.
Our team cheer summarizes it well:
We’re the mums perhaps you’ve seen us
We’ve got three dozen kids between us!
Tired of being the carpool mums
We are here to have some fun!
Go Rockers! Play soccer!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Rosedale Rockers win (at least the second half!)
Anne says:
Woohoo! We won a half of soccer, by a 3-1 score. Okay, it was a whole game at a 6-3 score, but the second half was all ours! It felt great to make some actual offensive plays and get up to their goal, with some success!
Lovin' it!
Trish says:
That was an awesome game tonight!! It was fun to be able to actually make some passes and play soccer. I found it to be quite a treat!
If anyone is interested in either or both days for a soccer practice , just say the word. I'm in!! Say 8:30 or 9ish?
Great game!!
Woohoo! We won a half of soccer, by a 3-1 score. Okay, it was a whole game at a 6-3 score, but the second half was all ours! It felt great to make some actual offensive plays and get up to their goal, with some success!
Lovin' it!
Trish says:
That was an awesome game tonight!! It was fun to be able to actually make some passes and play soccer. I found it to be quite a treat!
If anyone is interested in either or both days for a soccer practice , just say the word. I'm in!! Say 8:30 or 9ish?
Great game!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
How it all began...
Went to Cheryl's for dinner last night. Verna was there too, and Cheryl hatched a plan that had its beginnings last year at the great Holland vs. Canada match in East Chilliwack: join the women's seven-a-side soccer league this spring.
We went on a phone blitz last night, while drinking wine, and tried to recruit other mums who spend most of their time on the sidelines watching kids, not playing!
So we've got 10 or so country mums, most of whom have never played or haven't played much, signed on to play against what will likely be much younger, fitter, more experienced teams!
I was a soccer pioneer back in the 1970s and 80s, part of the first wave of girls teams, and very proud to be playing after watching my brothers play for years and being told girls didn't play soccer. We won the provincials twice, the western Canadian finals once, and got to the Canadian final, losing by a 3-2 score.
BUT, I am now over 40, overweight, with bad ankles and the beginnings of arthritis! I know I'm fit enough to play as I run and work out a lot, but I am worried about injury, so will be proceeding with caution and with lots of ankle braces and a knee brace!
Congeniality award
Well, our perseverance, resilience, sense of humour, and sportsmanship has paid off! We've been awarded a dedication prize before the season's even over. Thanks Ashley.
We're still having all sorts of fun despite being severely outplayed by our younger, fitter, more experienced opponents. The scores are lopsided, but we take small victories in well-crafted plays, forcing the ball off the field before the other team scores (yet again), blocking corner kicks, successfully heading, and generally mastering soccer skills one by one.
Here are some recent photos!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Photos from Sandra
She may be injured but she remembers fondly the three games she got to play! She remembers the Dutch Crunch girls in the first game saying to each other: "You've got time, you've got time" and being vaguely offended by this! (Even though it was true!)
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