Understandably, the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding that would bring together a group that has largely overseen youth recreational soccer in the city of Sudbury proper (Sudburnia Soccer Club) with a group that has been the beacon for men’s competitive soccer in the region for more than a century now (SRCSL – Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League) might have given rise to countless questions – especially with the Greater Sudbury Soccer Club (GSSC) observing in the background.

Thankfully, association presidents Tammie Thibault (Sudburnia) and Tony Nuziale (SRCSL) bring a combined six decades or so of soccer administration to the table as the new MOU was unveiled Thursday at the Lancer Dome, with far more clarity to the initiative provided by the dedicated duo.

“We’re not competing against GSSC; these are two different streams,” emphasized Thibault, expanding on a pre-event release that noted a goal of “fostering growth, development and lifelong engagement with the sport (of soccer).”

“We’re here to help those that don’t want to go that route (GSSC Impact), to give them options to further develop them.”

With Sudburnia just recently adding a mixed adult co-ed league to the offerings, the timing was right for both groups to seek out a collaborative as newcomers to Sudbury quickly seek out an athletic pastime that there are often infinitely familiar with.

“There’s a lot more diversification in the City of Sudbury as people with different backgrounds and different ethnic groups are coming in,” noted Nuziale, a man who has served as president of the SRCSL for some twenty years or more now. “We are seeing an influx of adults who want to play soccer but don’t know where to play.”

“A lot of youth want to still play and then be part of the men’s leagues as well.”

From the heyday of high caliber men’s soccer in these parts (1950’s and 1960’s) through to the challenges of more recent times, the SRCSL has seen the pendulum begin a more favourable swing as the group welcomed a ten team over 40 and a four team over 50 division in the summer of 2024.

That’s a whole lot of valuable soccer knowledge that can now be availed to the benefit of local youth, potentially.

“This is a good opportunity to help both sides, where we could provide some resources as our players turn to coaching and help with the younger grassroots level,” stressed Nuziale.

Thibault and company could not agree more.

“We want to access their expertise and help and build our adult coed and develop those pathways,” she said. “After Sudburnia, players think there is nothing for them. For the girls, we have the Sudbury Women’s Soccer (Club), where I played. We want them (the boys) to know that there are other options.”

“We would like to offer them more than just recreational, maybe a little bit more of a competitive program where they can develop their skills, still play with their friends and maybe go to a tournament of two, just to get a feel of soccer at that level.”

Exactly what this will look like five years from now remains an uncertainty – but the building blocks are in place for a partnership that could serve local soccer quite well.

“I think right now, we are just trying to get the groundwork and framework in place,” said Nuziale. “At this point, it’s more to help develop the recreational players and give them options as to where they want to play as they get older.”