In an attempt to stay away from blowouts in high school senior boys' soccer, the coaches from the Lower Island have adopted a new league structure.
Instead of having a league for triple-A schools and another for doubleA/singleA programs, the 16 teams from the Lower Island have gone to two-tiered system.
The nine teams in Tier 1 are Claremont, Stelly's, Oak Bay, Lambrick Park, Reynolds, Belmont, Glenlyon Norfolk, St. Michaels University School and Mount Douglas. The schools in Tier 2 are Esquimalt, Reynolds B, SMUS B, Spectrum, Vic High, St. Andrew's and Parkland.
"The coaches voted and approved this new format and I think it is fabulous and long overdue,'' said GNS coach Hugh Williams. "It is a win-win situation for everyone. The teams in Tier 1 play stiffer competition all the time and hopefully we can stay away from blowout games which are no good for anyone.
"With this format, there is no distinction in school size. We [GNS] are single-A this year playing in a league with triple-A schools."
When it comes time for Island and provincial playoffs, the schools will be back to their single-, double-and triple-A categories.
GNS won the provincial double-A title last year, but in 2012 the school is back to single-A with a drop in numbers.
The top seven Tier 1 teams will advance to the Colonist Cup playoffs, while the No. 8 seed will meet No. 1 from Tier 2 in a challenge game for the last spot. The teams in Tier 2 will play for the Colonist Shield.
"I think the teams at the top this year will be Claremont and Stelly's," said Williams.
Some players to watch this season, which continues today at several schools, are Craig Taylor from Stelly's and Claremont's co-captains Josh Brown and Yvann Atemgoa. Claremont is off to a 2-0-1 start.
"Claremont is a powerhouse,'' said Oak Bay coach Rich Fast. "They have a lot of depth. Stelly's and Reynolds also have good teams.
"With the change in the format this year, I'm sure that we will see better soccer.''
