13 - Wednesday, December 24, 1986 ~ North Shore News Shut out winter PAGE 31 Sis SCRE La WN ISTE NS SORE TE OO ENTER OH OES LS Seas LEACH SEIN RES FROM WORLD CUP TO LOCAL LEAGUE TONY WAITERS has taken the quantum leap from coaching world-class soccer players to coaching local soccer youngsters. “TL thing it’s the most difficult coaching assignment I’ve had,’’ Waiters said in a recent interview. The former Canadian national team and Vancouver Whitecaps coach volunteered recently to direct coaching and player development for the 90-team West Vancouver Soccer Club (WVSC). In addition, Waiters has taken over coaching duties for the floundering premier division West Vancouver United, the team on which his 13-year-old son Scott currently plays. . “It’s a big adjustment from Mexico in June (site of the World Cup of soccer) to West Vancouver in September,’’ Waiters said, ‘‘but I find it very rewarding.” Soccer in West Vancouver, Waiters said, is good, but not up to levels in other areas of the North Shore such as Lynn Valley, where the Falcons organization makes regular player contribution to the ranks of university and pro- fessional soccer. “IT think there has been a tendency here (in West Vancouver) for kids to get involved in other sports. West Vancouver does well at peewee levels, but, from what Mve seen, at around the 13 and id-year-old level it is passed by other areas. Maybe it’s because traditionally the area has more money and it’s easier for West Van kids to move on to other sports League (CSL), is consequently spreading his fertile soccer knowl- work. They all need guidance and instructional instant information. Too often seminars using the extensive network of soccer con- NEWS phato Nell Lucente COACH TONY Wailers shows West Vancouver United players the ropes during a practice session held recently at Loutet Park. Waiters has recently been appointed the head of soccer development in West Vancouver. World of Soccer Inc. is working to develop instructional material for like skiing.’’ In addition, Waiters said com- petitive soccer is not stressed as strongly in West Vancouver. **There is the view, | think, that it is not quite right to stress com- petitiveness. | don’t agree. I say there is nothing wrong with the pursuit of excellence in any thing.”’ Waiters, who is currently the honorary president of the Van- edge on the coaching grassroots of West Vancouver’s game. “It is the coaches who influence young players the most. So what we are trying to do is set up specific coaching instruction for specific age groups. Afterafi, the considerations for a peewee player are much different than those for a player at the divisional level.” North Shore soccer coaching, he they go through drills in practice that have no application to the game situation.”’ In order to help West Vancouver coaches direct their enthusiasm down more constructive avenues, Waiters said he is working to iden- tify the various coaching needs of the various age levels. To that end he is exposing WVSC coaches to team coaching videos culled from his work with tacts he has developed in his play- ing and coaching career. Waiters is also hoping to establish a Lower Mainland soccer development centre that would comprise a 15-acre $5 million in- door-outdoor facility designed for the development of local soccer. He said the centre, which has been in the planning stage for two years, is probably another three years away. players and specifically coaches who work with players from age six through 16. Soccer talent on the North Shore, Waiters said, ‘‘is as good as anywhere in the world.”’ He added that the establishment of the CSL and the launch of the’ Vancouver ’86ers will give ail aspiring soccer players” something to work towards and, in the pro- cess, help develop Canadian soccer said, is basically good, ‘‘but local coaches want to know what will couver ‘86ers, Vancouver's entry in the new Canadian Soccer print into the national team and arranging In January 17-25 addition, from the grassroots. Waiters’s own Sew Year| CELEBRATE SKI WEEK THE SEVENTH annual Midnight Express Fun Run is scheduled to take place en New Year's Eve on the roadways of Stanley Park. The festive foot face, which starts and finishes at Lumberman’s Arch, will begin at 7 p.m. Last year more than 600 runne.s braved the bracing night air to start the new year off on the right foot. A long-sleeved shirt will be given to all participants. Runners can register ahead of time for $10 through Fitness First at the Cameron Recreation Centre, 9523 Cameron St.. Burnaby, V3J 1L9, or show up at Lumberman's Arch, Stanley Park before 7 p.m. and pay $12. Showers are available at Brockton. For information call 421-FITT. CANADIANS will enjoy a special celebration of their favorite winter sport during National Ski Week, Jan. 17 to 25. The Canadian Ski Council recently announced Ski For Life. a tew promotional program designed to promote recreational skiing as a lifetime activity. Ski for Life will not only be the theme for National Ski Week and all of the ski council’s media promo- tions, but also a national pre-packaged program that ski areas, ski clubs and non-ski industry organizations can use to draw more people to the trails and slopes. As a result, Ski for Life is a series of fun events, that stresses good times, and offers the chance to win such prizes as a Karhu family cross-country packaze, Seiko watches, Prince racquets and the grand prize, an Air Canada family vacation to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Four of Canada's best known and most popular skiers, the Crazy Canucks, have been signed as Ski for Life spokesmen. Dave {rwin, Dave Murray, Steve Podborski and Ken Read will be promoting Ski for Life throughout the country. “We no longer ski race,"’ says Read, ‘but we ski for the fun ot it, and we hope thousands of Canadians will discover that skiing is more than a sport — it’s a way of life and the best way to enjoy it is to ski for w