The Cochrane Rangers continue to enhance opportunities for soccer players and helping making that possible is generous sponsorships from local businesses.

On June 4, the club unveiled new jerseys for many of their teams made possible by sponsorships of several local companies, including Two Pharmacy, Ducks on the Roof, The Venue Bar and Grill and MAGPro Insulated Panel Systems.

Cochrane Rangers president Paul Tas says these sponsorships and others, like the purchase of promotional signage at the Rangers Field, are all appreciated.

"One of the things we want to do with the Cochrane Rangers is to keep soccer affordable," explains Tas.

The new jerseys were provided for all eight of the club's competitive teams--four men, four women--and having them sponsored is appreciated.

"We're pretty excited about it, as our sponsors," says Tas.

John Scondrianis, of Ducks on the Roof, has been a sponsor now for 26 years. He himself plays soccer for the 55-plus team and has been there for the Rangers because he loves the sport.

Reid Kimmett, of Two Pharmacy (previously known as Grand Avenue Pharmacy), says they became involved after a staff member approached them and they saw merit in the idea.

"We're always looking for ways to engage with our community and engage with those who are trying to help build our community and it just seemed like a natural fit," says Kimmett. "It's exciting to see all the teams wearing the jerseys, they look really great and it should be a good year for them."

Joanne Daviduk has been with the Rangers for 15 years and is also the club's vice-president of the women's competitive teams and works at the Venue Bar and Grill. She approached the Venue's Bonnie Bye about a sponsorship and the company didn't hesitate to get involved because she believes in supporting sports teams in the community.

The Rangers have about 200 members and they've been working closely with Cochrane Minor Soccer to help bridge the gap between minor and adult soccer. It's all part of building a unified effort to make soccer a life-long sport.

This year's Women's Open team was last year's U18 team of minor soccer and Tas says they hope to do the same with outgoing U18 boys players.

"It's great to see girls and boys that are 18 years not quitting playing soccer but actually have a way to get from minor soccer to the Rangers. That's really filling that gap, giving them a spot to stay involved in playing soccer and then you have them hooked for a long time and it will build the sustainability of the whole club. The youth are the future."

The club also has a Monday night women's recreation league that is not only fun but helps feed the competitive teams to the point where they nearly have enough for five teams this season.

"Some of the ladies rec league players are going to make that move and we're going to have more competitive teams next year than we have this year," explains Tas.

They've reintroduced the Friday night men's drop-in soccer for players of all calibre.

"We use to do it and we've restarted it. It's a get opportunity for men that just want to kick a ball around Friday night but don't want to commitment to competitive."