About Our Program: Past and Present

History of Soccer in Fort Saskatchewan

Soccer in Fort Saskatchewan has a long history, dating back to 1974 when the Fort Saskatchewan Minor Outdoor Soccer program was established as one of the two sports governed under the Fort Saskatchewan Minor Sports Association (FSMSA). The indoor version of soccer was introduced in 1996, with players practicing in local gymnasiums, such as the old Jail gym. Games were played at two different facilities in Edmonton—one in the south and another in the west.

In December 2013, Fort Saskatchewan Outdoor Soccer and Fort Saskatchewan Indoor Soccer merged into a single organization to better serve the community. This new unified organization, known as Fort Saskatchewan Soccer, has grown significantly over the years, but each team still maintained its own identity. In 2017, the Executive Committee decided that Fort Saskatchewan needed a unified name to bring all teams together under one banner. Through a month-long contest, we invited members to submit ideas, and out of 25 suggestions, the name Fort Saskatchewan Arsenal was chosen. This name honors the 1875 NWMP Fort, a key part of the community's heritage. Today, our U9-U19 teams are known as Fort Saskatchewan Arsenal, while our U5-U7 in-house program is called Junior Arsenal.

Fort Saskatchewan Soccer Today

Today, Fort Saskatchewan Soccer serves approximately 900 players annually across both indoor and outdoor seasons. The program is supported by one full-time paid administrator and an executive committee of 10 volunteer members. Each season, between 60-80 coaches are needed to run the program, with hundreds of volunteers helping behind the scenes. The success of Fort Saskatchewan Soccer would not be possible without the dedication and time contributed by these volunteers.

For the 2024 outdoor season, we had around 165 Junior Arsenal players, 19 Arsenal Community teams, and 2 club teams. For the 2024-2025 indoor season, we had 18 community teams, 3 club teams, and 65 Junior Arsenal players. We offer a variety of additional programs, including fall, spring, and summer training camps. Our club program is growing and has partnered with Lonestar Institute, which provides coach training, academy sessions for club players, and coach education for the Junior Arsenal U7 program.

We use the Grassroots Alberta Soccer Association training for our U5-U7 programs, as Alberta Soccer emphasizes the importance of developing fundamental skills early in a player’s journey. The 1-hour training sessions are broken down into four stations that focus on soccer technique, coordination, general movement, and small-sided games. This approach is designed to ensure players touch the ball frequently and develop confidence in their skills.

Our training camps, open to all U7-U19 players, are held in fall, spring, and summer. These sessions bring all Arsenal players together on one field to work on the same drills. Older players often mentor younger ones, fostering a sense of community and teamwork. The camps are typically held once a week for 2-3 hours and are facilitated by Lonestar Institute coaches alongside our own staff.

We also organize drop-in soccer events, where players can come and simply enjoy a casual game of soccer with others from the Arsenal community. These events, which usually occur twice a year, are a fun and chaotic experience that everyone enjoys.

Additionally, we hold special events like the Testimonial Game, which celebrates soccer in a fun, community-centered way. Typically held on a Saturday evening in March, selected U9-U19 players take the field in three age-group divisions. The highlight of the event is when the coaches play in the final game. The event includes raffles, 50/50 draws, giveaways, player-of-the-game awards, and more. Families are encouraged to attend and bring a food bank donation to support those in need.

Another beloved event is the Arsenal Jamboree, where U5-U11 teams play two games of soccer. This event features bouncy castles, face painting, concessions, and other fun activities. The cost of the bouncy castles and concessions helps offset event expenses, ensuring it’s a fun and affordable experience for all.

We also participate in local parades, including the July 1st parade and the Santa Claus parade, helping to spread the spirit of soccer throughout the community.

Our goal is to create a close-knit community both on and off the soccer field, where players, coaches, and families come together to share the love of the game.