The Early History of Eastside Youth Soccer Association

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Eastside Soccer had its early beginnings in 1988 when the five Community Associations of Eastview, Adelaide-Park Churchill, South Nutana Park, Holliston and Brevoort Park amalgamated their mini-soccer programs to form Eastside Soccer. Original board members included Ron Bulmer, Janine Rafoss, Jerry Evans, Marcie and Jack Reilly, Marie Weiss, David Schurr, and Betty Hatzel.  Eastside formed out of the community associations to compete with more well-established club teams, like the Avalon Soccer Club, Hollandia and the SUSC Eagles. Eastside soccer grew from one or two teams per community association in the late 1980’s to over thirty teams by the mid-1990’s.

In 1996, Saskatoon divided into zones for the purposes of organizing youth soccer. Five zones were created and Zone 5 was assigned to Eastside Soccer. The five originating community associations were joined at that time by all community associations west of Circle Drive. These included Varsity View, Grosvenor Park, Greystone Heights, Queen Elizabeth and Nutana community associations. The other four zones in the city were assigned to SUSC, Hollandia, Aurora and Lakewood.

That same year, 1996, Eastside Soccer incorporated as Eastside Youth Soccer Association Inc. with Ron Bulmer continuing as President. Other active board members at the time included Donna Gyug, Ivan Gidluck, Mark Berry, and Kevin Wagner.  Ron Bulmer continued as President until 1997. He was succeeded by Daryl Glover (1997), then Bill Rafoss (1998-99), Harley Dickenson (1999) and Mike Grevers (1999-2004).

By Bill Rafoss*
December 2005

* Bill was President of Eastside Soccer in 1998-99. This history was compiled with assistance from Ron Bulmer, founder of Eastside Soccer.