Brant County Recreational Soccer "Soccer for little people" teams up with Brantford Galaxy.

In a meeting Tuesday, January 18, 2011 the Brant County Recreational Soccer (BCRS) board approved co-operation with the Brantford Galaxy and Brantford Galaxy Youth Soccer Club. The affiliation is intended to promote the interests of both clubs and the Brantford soccer community by providing a platform for the development of grassroots soccer towards the highest caliber of play. The BCRS membership will ratify the actions of the board at the upcoming meeting February 15th.

Brant County Recreational Soccer has organize soccer leagues for budding athletes for over 25 years. Under the "Soccer for Little People" banner, the late Gary Foy and local volunteers founded the club to introduce soccer to kids age four to seven.

Brantford Galaxy Youth Soccer Club formerly Brantford Inter-City Soccer Club (BICS) teams has represented Brantford for over 25 years in provincial competitive leagues. This summer 2011 the Galaxy youth club will introduce a new recreational soccer program for all kids ages Eight to Eleven. Which will help create a seamless transition for young BCRS and other athletes. The program will introduce players to next step of the Provincial/Canadian long term player development (LTPD) plan.

Galaxy Youth Chairperson, Andrew Pilkington said " This is a departure for us, however we have recognized a need to introduce soccer FUNdamentals during the golden age of development" "There is a need for recreational program that will be based on fun, learning and league competition". Galaxy Youth, Head Coach, Tennyson Ulysse added "The Galaxy house league coaches will work with senior technical Galaxy staff to emphasize skills and the ABC's of soccer while creating a fun place to be over the summer".

Under the technical direction from the senior professional club, the Brantford Galaxy will provide soccer expertise to both organizations. "The Galaxy has now connected a program that will see the development of players from child to teens" said Brantford Galaxy's Managing Director, Gerry Crnic. Gerry added, "Identified players will join the Galaxy youth competitive program and then will have the opportunity to excel in a CSL youth development program".

CSL Galaxy stars Ben and Bob Turnbull is an example of what can be achieved locally. Ben and Bob are amoung players that started in the "soccer for little people" league and now are registered FIFA Canadian Soccer League players with the Galaxy.

The CSL announced in September that it is requiring member clubs to align with grassroots soccer and establish an elite youth development programs in each community. The CSL youth program is really modeled after the European club system. European clubs all have youth development teams and "The Brantford Galaxy has taken the lead role on this, and is investing in the youth" said Crnic of the Galaxy.

The Brantford Galaxy became the 2010 CSL Canadian Champions in their expansion year. The Galaxy 2011 campaign is slated to start in May with the first division team defending its title. Brantford Galaxy also runs a CSL second division under 21 team. Populated with local youth stars, the team also turned some heads in 2010 by finishing second amoung CSL teams like Toronto FC II reserves.

Registered player with both youth clubs will also receive a Brantford Galaxy "Future Stars" membership entitling players and families to exclusive discounts on admission to 2011 CSL Galaxy home games, Summer Soccer Camps and Galaxy Merchandise.

Registrations for Brant County Recreational Soccer, for 4-7 year olds, will take place at North Park Collegiate Cafeteria Saturday February 12th and 26th - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www. soccerforlittlepeople.ca for details

Brantford Galaxy Youth Soccer Club recreational soccer registration, for 8-11 year olds, will take place at Lynden Park Mall, Saturday, February 5th, March 5th and 19th, 9:30am-3:30pm. www.brantfordsoccer.com for registration information.