The new team in town playing the beautiful game will only enhance what is already a spectacular array of sports choices in the Okotoks community. An estimated 900 to 1,000 fans watched the Foothills FC down the Victoria Highlanders in a pair of games at Foothills Composite field in what was the debut of Premier Development League soccer in Okotoks. The quality of play was likely the highest that has ever been seen in these parts. High-quality soccer is a natural fit in Okotoks. The community — and the Foothills area — has a number of immigrants in the community, many from the soccer-mad United Kingdom. As well, the Okotoks United has always had a robust number of players. The popularity of the game — along with the growing popularity of lacrosse — was the driving force for the building of the well-used Crescent Point Regional Field House. The future bodes well for soccer fans in the area, as Spruce Meadows announced earlier this month it will accommodate an approximate 6,000-seat soccer arena for a Calgary franchise for the Canadian Premier League in the spring of 2019. The two teams —only 25 kilometres apart — will complement each other when the CPL comes to fruition. At present, the Okotoks Dawgs and Okotoks Oilers are kings in the Big Rock Country sports world. The Dawgs are always a top draw and the Oil is coming off its best season ever. Foothills FC isn’t competing with those juggernauts, it is an added sporting addition to the community. The soccer team provides one more reason to not only live in Okotoks, but yet another way in getting those from out of town to visit here. That’s one GOOOAAALLL that everyone in Okotoks can strive for, regardless of their favourite sport.
