Kamloops — Details have been released regarding a planned exhibition soccer match pitting Edmonton FC of the North American Soccer League against a Kamloops men's all-star team.

The match, being hosted by the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association as one of its 50 anniversary celebratory events, will kick-off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29th on McArthur Island Field #2.

The Kamloops All-Star Team is being coached by current Thompson Rivers University men's soccer team head coach John Antulov, who played his youth soccer in Kamloops before going onto a stellar university career with Simon Fraser University and then with the Vancouver 86ers, along with KYSA Technical Director Ciaran McMahon.

It is expected that many of the players on the Kamloops team will be KYSA alumni.

The KYSA is charging a nominal admission charge for the match, $5 for adults and $3 for children under 18. Children six years of age or younger will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the KYSA office on McArthur Island (9 a.m. to 4 p.m, Tuesday through Friday) or from Hansport, at 860 8 St. in North Kamloops. Hansport is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The KYSA is also offering a special team rate. Teams interested in attending the match should contact the KYSA office for details.

Match sponsor, McDonald's, is giving local soccer fans an opportunity to see the match for free. McDonald's will give two tickets to anyone purchasing a meal combo at any Kamloops restaurant upon request.

There will be a beer garden open for the duration of the match located above the KYSA office next to Field #2.

In keeping with the "alumni" theme, the referee for the match will be Michelle Pye, who started her refereeing career in Kamloops. Michelle has risen to the ranks of a FIFA designation, the highest level a referee can aspire to in the soccer world. Michelle is one four Canadian officials to have been appointed to the pool of game officials for this summer’s 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada. This tournament is a chance for Michelle to gain valuable experience and potentially claim a place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.

Michelle has previously officiated in the 2008, 2010 and 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups, the 2010 Algarve Cup (refereed third place match between China and Sweden), and the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics (refereed the bronze medal game between Turkey and Iran.)

Kamloops soccer players and coaches are invited to watch an Edmonton team training session under the guidance of head coach Colin Miller, who has also served intermittently as head coach of Canada's Men's National Team, on Saturday, June 28 on Field #1 at McArthur Island starting at 4:00 pm. There is no cost to watch the training session.

In addition to match sponsor, McDonald's, the game is being financially supported by Sure Print on Tranquille Road in North Kamloops, Hansport, KYSA equipment supplier Umbro Canada, and BMO Bank of Montreal, the KYSA's Rep Team Program sponsor.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014