The Fergus-Elora team had a successful season in the Ontario Woman’s Soccer League, the highest level for women’s soccer in of Ontario.
The league is affiliated with the Ontario Soccer Association, Canadian Soccer Association, and FIFA, the world governing body of soccer.
FEDS (Fergus Elora District Soccer) entered the team hoping to attract more players. Previously, it had played in the South Western Regional Soccer League (SWRSL), but games were on Sunday evenings and did not attract enough players. Most were played with barely 11 players and led to many disappointing seasons.
In Late 2009, FEDS hired Bob “Manny” McDougall as head coach and Kevin Curran as assistant to lead the team into the OWSL. With the OWSL playing games during the week, it gave more opportunities for players. With try-out sessions starting in early 2010, it was the beginning to a very successful season.
With ages ranging from 18 to 37, a team of 21 was picked. McDougall said, “This season I witnessed a group of 21 young women go from relative ob-scurity to taking second overall in the OWSL – MJDL division. The team had the league’s best defensive numbers, second best offensive numbers, and one player named to the OWSL all star team.
“We also had two of the best goalies in the entire division. Their dedication and commit-ment made coaching them both enjoyable and inspirational, and although they may have learned very little from me, I know I learned a great deal from them.”
He added, “With limited practice space and a few injuries to boot, the team conti-nually went about the job of winning soccer matches and remaining focused on the task at hand, no matter what obstacles were put in front of them. I do hope that their accomplishment doesn’t go unnoticed and that the program will gain momentum and sup-port both from within the inner soccer community and Fergus and Elora as a whole.”
The local club finished behind only the Burlington Blaze in the standings. That club won 12, lost 4, and tied none. Fergus Elora won 10, lost five, and tied one.
