Scott Hebert is looking to ensure that history is not repeated. The enthusiastic coach of the Valley East Desjardins Dragons U-12 boys team, a first year entry into the SRCSL (Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League), will draw on his experience as a competitive player in the primarily recreational Valley association as he builds a foundation for his young club.
The second year Sport & Physical Education student at Laurentian University remembers his eleven year career of competitive soccer with fondness but also a sense of "unfinished business". "We've always had a pretty decent talent pool in the Valley, but it seems that when we played, we changed coaches almost every year and had to start learning a new system each summer", noted Hebert.
That is precisely the reason that he has approached the first Valley East boys team to enter the competitive realm in the past four years with such a sense of purpose. Hebert is adament that he would like to remain at the helm of the developing young team for many years to come. "For the most part, the scores have not been an adequate reflection of the competitiveness of the games", explains Hebert of his squad that has picked up three wins in fifteen league games to date. But Hebert again draws on the memories of his youth to remain upbeat, keeping the win/loss column in perspective.
"I can't complain about the effort - the kids always give 100%", he says. "But in the end, the experience you gain from participating - teaching people skills, developing confidence - that's what you'll take with you in the end." Hebert came to the team somewhat by happen-chance, crossing paths with current co-coach Gerry Trottier after a game at last year's Panhellenic Tournament which he officiated.
The Valley contingent were entered as a "house-league all-star" squad, attempting to test their mettle against strictly competitive squads from the area and elsewhere. "I basically just told him that if he needed help, I would be glad to jump aboard", notes Hebert. Over the winter, many of the players who comprised the all-star team indicated an interest in continuing to play as a team.
With sporadic practices over the winter months, the foundation was put in place for the Dragons grouping that now plays in the six team U-13 division of the SRCSL. "I would say that we are at about 80% of where I would like the team to be", states Hebert. "We play OK through the first half and then suffer a second half demise, when scores can sometimes get out of hand."
"But every game we're getting better" says Hebert, a fact that was once again illustrated by the Dragons upset win over the Panhellenic Strikers '92 Girls, a team which finished a full twelve points ahead of Valley East in league standings. With their 2-1 win over the Strikers, the Desjardins Dragons have earned a spot in the divisional semi-final against Sudbury Athletic Juventini, a team that keeps the bulk of its players together year-round, competing during the indoor soccer season as well.
"Our goal was really to make the semi-final...now, we just want to try and play a full game strong", acknowledges Hebert. "We're starting to come around...and there's not a player on my team that I would not put out in any given situation", a fact of obvious pride to the very-upbeat young bench boss. With a number of NOHA hockey players dotting the Valley East roster, Hebert is realistic for off-season plans, looking to get together with his crew every couple of weeks over the winter months.
But for these aspiring young soccer stars, they will take to the field in May with the comfort of a familiar face back behind the bench as they attempt to close the gap with the established competitive soccer teams of Greater Sudbury. And that alone should give them a leg up on some Valley East teams of years gone by.
