The sport of soccer in the Prince Albert area was built under the guidance and hard work of many individuals. One of the names that you will see on that list is Tom Brothwell. Tom’s foray into soccer began in the 1990s. As a member of the board of directors for the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Youth Soccer Association, he served in many capacities including the chair of both the indoor and outdoor youth soccer programs.
Youth and adult indoor soccer changed under Tom Brothwell’s leadership initially with the youth program where, with the partnership of the school systems, he developed a program where he would access school gymnasiums and set up the locations in order to begin the development of the game. As the game grew in popularity, his work then also included the development of the indoor soccer program at the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Centre, and eventually at the Alfred Jenkins Field House.
He helped develop young soccer players as a coach beginning in 1991 where he would lead the Under 11 girls to the city championship. In 1994 and 1995 the Under 15 girls’ teams won one city championship and two provincial championships under his guidance. His team also took home the provincial fair play award and earned the opportunity to play in the Western National Championship in Winnipeg. In 1998, he turned to coaching the Under 13 boys’ soccer program where his team won the Division 2 city championship and the provincial fair play award in the Premier Men’s Provincial Championship.
Tom was highly successful in helping to coach high school soccer, winning a championship in 1999. In 2001, his team took home the championship in the Premier Women’s Outdoor Soccer provincials and the provincial fair play award. His team attended the Premier Women’s National competition in Toronto that year and won the national fair play award. Later in his coaching career, he led the Division 2 Men’s team to an outdoor championship in 2007 and runner up in Division 1 Men’s outdoor provincials in 2008.
His coaching successes and knowledge fostered the development of many young players to the Sask First all-star soccer program, enabling several athletes to earn post-secondary soccer scholarships in Canada and the US, as well as being a board member with the Saskatchewan Soccer Association.
Tom’s knowledge and skills as a coach didn’t end with soccer, as he also coached club level volleyball and competitive baseball. His volunteerism and passion for the community also involved serving on a number of boards including seven years with the Prince Albert Raiders (including President), Kidsport and a volunteer with the Big Brothers and Sisters.
