TRURO, N.S.
It’s no surprise the Shreve brothers enjoy soccer; their parents are both former players and their mother coaches.
Ty, 10, Jay, 8, and Coen, 6, have been playing in the CC Riders Timbits program since they were four years old.
“It’s fun,” said Ty, who likes to be in goal or a defender. “If there was no soccer I’d invent a game called soccer.”
Because participants come from various areas, the boys have all made friends who attend different schools.
“The thing I really like is that kids of all abilities can play,” said their mother, Jennifer McKay. “They all have a place. My oldest is very musical and the second one is really interested in games, but they all like soccer.”
Jay likes to play goal, and said if soccer didn’t exist he’d play Wii. Coen is a natural athlete who loves all sports, and when he’s on the soccer field he prefers to play forward and score goals.
“It’s okay if it’s raining,” he said. “It’s fun playing in rain and mud.”
The children do play in most weather, with games being cancelled only if there’s lightning or flooding, but there’s no pressure for a child to take part every week. Because they rotate positions, they get a variety of experience, and while watching, their parents get a chance to socialize.
“I started playing around Grade 6 and then played with the Truro Keddy’s Wolves, and at Acadia,” said Jennifer. “I also coached CC riders. They were kind of destined to play soccer so I’m really glad they like it.
“I’m coaching the under-8’s this year and it’s a lot of fun. I get to be a kid and have a chance to run around and play.”
She gets a lot of respect from the children because she’s able to go out on the field and demonstrate her own skills.
Children get their own uniforms and play two nights a week from June until the first week of August.
For more information on the CC Riders programs contact [email protected] or, for the community teen league, [email protected].
