The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:
                                                                            Provincial soccer organization has new name

The provincial soccer organization has a new name. The recent annual meeting of the group in Marystown added Labrador to the 49-year- old title and the organization is now the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association.

"Better late than never," is the reaction of association president Angus Barrett of St. John's. "We should have included Labrador years ago since players, teams and leagues from that area of the province have been important members of us for many years."

Barrett disclosed that "a Ross Arlett Memorial Tournament will be held in mid-September. Four top clubs will be involved."

The meeting established committees to investigate some of the important aspects of soccer.

"We plan to review the Challenge Cup format for 1999 and to look into the possibility of sending a team to the national senior female championships next year," Barrett said.

With a total player registration of more than 9,000 for 1998, Barrett explained that "we are checking the possibilities of a 16-team Confederation Soccer Fest for '99. It could replace the current A, B, and C provincial tournament structure."

He was also pleased that voting was necessary in two of the four executive elections that were part of the meeting.

Re-elected to two-year terms were vice-president Clayton Welsh, treasurer Richard Murphy, minor chair Peter Hood and female chair John Noseworthy. Welsh is from Grand Bank and the others are from St. John's.

Groups or individuals planning to submit nominations for 1998 provincial awards must have them in the soccer office prior to November 31.

While the 1999 annual meeting will be held in Springdale, the spring planning meeting is scheduled for St. John's.

Media contact: Angus Barrett, (709) 368-6500.

1998 11 27 11:55 a.m.