So you've been parachuted into Sudbury, provided with a
spiffy, new desk in your role as Sports Editor and have been
asked to provide a quick "lay of the land" on the local rep
soccer teams competing in provincial level leagues. If you have
managed to make heads or tails of the system as it exists in
less than a month, consider your endeavour a success.
The combinations and permutations that exist for local teams
taking part in league play beyond the scope of the Sudbury
Regional Competitive Soccer League (SRCSL) is exceeded only by
the playoff possibilities the NFL encounters every year with
two to three weeks remaining in regular season play.
It's confusing enough to make your head spin. Thankfully,
we will try to clarify some of the murky waters that exist by
providing a brief overview of the Sudbury-based teams which
have moved on.
Panhellenic Spitfire
U-13 (1995) boys
Under head coach Peter Zeman, the Spitfire are competing in the
only division housed under the North Central Soccer League
(NRSL) this summer. Historically, the NRSL comprises teams from
Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and North Bay, with the
league winners earning a berth directly to either the Ontario
Youth Soccer League (OYSL) or Central Soccer League (CSL).
That changed two years ago when the guidelines were amended as
the Ontario Soccer Association revamped the "Pyramid of Play" -
essentially the all-encompassing structure in which all soccer
is housed in Ontario. These days, winning the NRSL allows you
the right to a challenge game - a winner take all affair
against an existing team in the CSL.
The team that emerges victorious generally moves on to assume
the seventh or eighth slot in the top level (Level 3) of CSL
divisional play. This summer, the Panhellenic lads will be
competing with entries from North Bay, New Liskeard and Thunder
Bay, with four weekend series of games slated to run through
July and August.
The Spitfire have competed the past few years in SRCSL action
and tackle the NRSL with a roster that includes a solid
contingent of youngsters who work out on a bi-weekly basis
under the watchful eye of Brian Ashton with the Northern
Regional team.
Italia Flyers Azzuri
U-15 (1993) boys
The Azzuri made history of sorts last fall, becoming the first
local team to advance into CSL action by virtue of winning
their challenge match. The Sudbury crew downed
Unionville-Milliken 2-1 on penalty kicks to earn a berth in the
league that sports eight teams this year, including Pickering,
Ajax, Woodbridge, Markham and Etobicoke.
After earning a tie (2-2 vs. Unionville-Milliken) and suffering
a close loss (4-2 to Woodbridge) in their opening weekend of
play, Gino Contini's young squad has struggled to find their
game, losing four straight games. With six of their final eight
games at home, the Azzuri will need to get back on the winning
track quickly to ensure that relegation is not the fate that
awaits them.
Sudbury Canadians
U-16 (1992) girls
The latest in the line of Canadian teams that have been able to
enjoy some degree of success provincially, the U-16 ladies are
looking to take one large step forward this year. Under head
coach Frank Malvaso, the Canadians have proven to be more than
competitive in the Central Girls Soccer League (CGSL) over the
past two years.
In 2008, the Sudbury squad is looking to top the eight team
loop, an achievement that would allow them the right to move
onto the OYSL, which is considered the highest level of youth
competitive soccer in the province.
Sudbury Panhellenic United (1991) boys
Without a doubt, the Clive Stephenson-led United group has
achieved the greatest amount of recent success of any of the
boys teams representing the Nickel City. Not only have the
Panhellenic lads managed to avoid relegation in their first two
years of CSL action, but the team ended the 2007 season in the
upper half of league standings.
Unfortunately, each passing year brings with it an
ever-increasing challenge to try to maintain a roster with
sufficient numbers and depth of talent that will allow the
local boys a chance to remain competitive. A record of 1-4-1 in
their opening six games suggests this may well be the last year
of CSL action for the team, which graduates the bulk of their
roster from the high school ranks this time next year.
Sudbury Panhellenic U-21 ladies
Coach Giuseppe Politi brings together an interesting collection
of talent, including a solid core of players who formed part of
the Panhellenic ladies team that last tasted success at the
OYSL level. While there is some top-level talent among his
crew, the numbers are thin as Sudbury competes in a six-team
division of the Ontario Women's Soccer League.
After struggling against the Richmond Hill Raiders on both ends
of a home and home series recently, the Panhellenic regrouped
this past weekend, losing a tough 2-1 decision to the Vaughan
Azzuri before blanking Ajax 3-0.
Sudbury Panhellenic U-21 men
 Under coaches Arvo Lang and Mike Hussak, the Panhellenic
U-21 team find themselves with an entry in the Ontario Soccer
League for the first time in recent memory. And even more good
news as the Sudbury side have enjoyed plenty of success in the
early going, undefeated in league action with a record of
7-0-1.
The team includes a mix of current university players,
including the likes of Laurentian Voyageurs' Brent Huffels,
Trevor Beange and Steve Rachkowski, as well as Lockerby
graduate and Guelph Gryphon Justin Guay. In addition to their
league success, the men have also worked their way through two
rounds of league cup action and faced Guelph Sunday in Ontario
Cup play.
Randy Pascal is the voice of Persona 10 Sports and the founder of SudburySports.com.
