Adult amateur soccer in Richmond returns this Thursday evening, after the pandemic curtailed last season.
The Richmond Adult Soccer Association (RASA) kicks off its 2021/22 season this week – its 61st in total – with 27 teams competing across three divisions for various trophies.
One man looking forward to the new season is RASA’s Matthieu Mercer, who pointed out that First Division champion AC Richmond will be targeting a “three peat” of titles, having won it for the last two years.
“…that hasn't been accomplished since IGMicromeds Dragons claimed five top league titles between 2006-2010,” wrote Mercer.
“As always, the competition is tough, with the likes of the Richmond All Blacks, Grads, and West Coast FC all looking to overthrow the current champs, while others are looking to play spoilers and perhaps establish themselves as contenders in the top division with Pacific Dragons, Young Bloods FC, Unicorn FC A and VanSal FC.”
With Young Bloods vacating the Second Division and being promoted to First, a new opportunity has arisen for teams to claim that tier’s top spot.
Mercer said the Masters Division, which started back in 2012, has “seen the dominance of the Richmond Old Blacks, who were able to fight off their closest competitors in recent seasons, the Flying Beaver, and have all nine seasons claimed as division winners.
“Flying Beaver (was) able to capture the Masters Cup (end of season playoffs) two of the last three years, however.
“A tough rivalry has emerged between these two teams, and we expect no different this year. All eight teams in our Masters Division will officially kick off our new season Sept. 9.”
On Sunday Sept. 19, RASA will be running a jamboree at South Arm Park, featuring all teams from the First and Second Divisions.
The first round kicks off at 11 a.m., with the last games going at 5 p.m.
