By John DeCoste
Valley District Soccer has come up with a more than capable temporary replacement for technical director Angela Morrison.
Morrison, who is expecting her second child any day, began a year’s maternity leave starting last week.
VDSA executive director Dwight MacLeod confirmed Friday that the association has hired Laura Sanders to cover Morrison’s leave for the next year.
Sanders coached women’s soccer, as well as women’s basketball, at Acadia for close to 20 years. Her soccer teams won numerous conference championships as well as the CIS national title in 1990, and produced many highly-skilled, successful players.
Many of her former players, including Morrison, Cindy (Montgomerie) Tye and Dara (Moore) Ramirez, to name just a few, have stayed involved in the sport in coaching, teaching and administrative capacities.
Since her departure from Acadia in 2004, Sanders has continued to live in the area, and has taken courses to become both a basketball and soccer official.
“It goes without saying we’re thrilled to have someone of Laura’s caliber and standing in the game both here locally and available,” MacLeod said.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Laura and what she’s been able to accomplish in the sport of soccer. She’s a straight shooter. We’re really glad she was available and willing to join us, and we’re very pleased to have her for the year.”
Sanders, he said, has already jumped into her new position with both feet.
“She’s learning the ropes, doing camps in Middleton this week, and she’ll have meetings all next week with Soccer Nova Scotia. It won’t take her long to get up to speed, and be a real asset to us for the time she’s here.”
Sanders said she is looking forward to her new position.
“I’m particularly excited about meeting and working with players and coaches from throughout the district,” she said.
