The Red Deer Rovers Football Club have been awarded a franchise to play in the Calgary United Soccer Association’s Indoor Major Soccer League for the 2013-14 season.
It marks the return of a Red Deer team to the top tier of amateur soccer in the province for the first time since the Red Deer Renegades men’s team was relegated from the Alberta Major (outdoor) Soccer League in 2008.
The Calgary league includes several of the top teams in Canada, including the Calgary Callies, who have won four Canadian titles in the last 15 years, and the University of Calgary Dinos.
The Rovers, in partnership with the Red Deer Renegades program, will allow up and coming youth players, an opportunity to stay in Red Deer to compete at a high level.
Former major league Renegades coach Steve Davies is the head coach with Kurt Jensen player/manager and Chris Davies player/assistant coach.
“We want to build a structure, so you can move ahead in the league then look to have something coming through the system with youth players,” said Steve Davies in a news release.
“It’s a good start and it’s about time.”
“There’s always been a feeling that the players and skill level was here, but it was a matter of getting everyone to commit to playing and travelling together,” said Jensen. “It’s a lot of work and a big commitment to play at this level, but we’re ready and excited about it.”
The Rovers will have a roster of Central Alberta players, including players from the Central Alberta Men’s Soccer League and some RDC Kings, once their college season is over.
The Rovers will play the majority of their games on Sunday with all their games in Calgary.
The club will hold a kickoff party at Bo’s Bar and Grill, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Anyone interested in playing or helping sponsor the team, can contact the Rovers at reddeerrovers@gmail.com or visit www.reddeerrovers.com.