![[Back row, from left] Powell River Youth Soccer Association U13 boys manager Diana Caldarone, assistant coach Colin Kernohan, players Calyx Kernohan, Sladen Fitzpatrick, Jessie Cairns, Lynden Caldarone-Findlay, Adrian Tom, Luca Peirano, Kyle Veenhof, Alexander Sutcliffe and head coach Andrew Messner. [Front row, from left] Zevon Matthews, Eric Yurich, Brayden Messner, Wren Barfoot and Xander Longstaffe.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/sports/3026_prysa_andrew.jpg;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
Powell River Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA) wrapped its 2024/2025 rep season with an awards ceremony honouring players, referees and volunteers on Saturday, April 5, at Villa Soccer Centre.
PRYSA president Todd Cross emceed the ceremony. Coaches presented individual awards and team highlights. A total of six teams competed in the Upper Island Soccer Association (UISA).
The big news of the season included the U18 girls earning a spot to compete in the provincials in Kelowna this July; the U12 girls going undefeated in their season; the U13 boys hitting in the top of the table for their division for the second year in a row; and the growth of the club with PRYSA entering more teams into the UISL each year.
U12 girls were the team everyone wanted to beat. The dedication and coachability of the players shined through, according to a PRYSA volunteer, who added that, “it was a joy to watch them putting all of the puzzle pieces together to play the beautiful game.” Taliyah Souch and Isla O’Donnell were named Most Valuable Players; Most Improved Player awards went to Gianna Hull and Arya Hildering; and Most Sportsmanlike honours were bestowed upon Seni Mocevakaca and Hunter Larkin.
Two teams from PRYSA make their debuts in the U12 boys division. U12 (Cross), the younger of the two squads, played in an age group above their own, allowing players to gain valuable game experience and increase their confidence through the season. Nelson Bratseth and Caleb Gordon were chosen as Most Valuable Players; Quinn Wallace and Sawyer Dodgson were named as Most Improved Players; Joseph Cross and Lucas Morrice were honoured as Most Sportsmanlike.
U12 (Johansen) entered its first year of rep play and had a lot to celebrate, as the team saw massive growth in ability. Most Valuable Player was Noah Olson; Most Improved Player was Jaouen Gicquel; and Most Sportsmanlike was Logan Johansen.
U13 boys had another fantastic season, “bringing unbelievable passion to the game, and playing seamlessly together,” the volunteer stated. Awards were presented to Brayden Messner and Luca Pierano (Most Valuable); Adrian Tom and Jesse Cairns (Most Improved); and Wren Barfoot and Calyx Kernohan (Most Sportsmanlike).
U14/15 boys played their season out with some tough losses and amazing wins. Heart and hustle all year earned the team the Technical Director’s Male Team of the Year Award. Individual awards were presented to Alex Dowding, Most Valuable Player; Torrin Anderson, Most Improved Player; and Tanner Ciarniello, Most Sportsmanlike Player.
U18 girls received the Technical Director’s Female Team of the Year Award for their determination and skill displayed during the season. Most Valuable Player honours were shared by Sydney Miller and Helen Barszczewski; Most Improved Player was Brooklyn Klassen; and the Most Sportsmanlike award went to Addy Shipley. Brooklynn Klassen also received the Technical Director’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
Other awards were presented to Cam Miller, longtime PRYSA coach and coach of the U18 girls, who was honoured with the Coach of the Year Award; Emil Valing, who was named Referee of the Year; and Heather Anderson (Volunteer of the Year).
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