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The Canadian Soccer Association has arrived and planted its roots.

One of the biggest announcements in the history of our provincial soccer association was made this past week. Saskatoon has been named as a host city for one of seven REX programs across the country.

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What is REX? REX is a Regional EXCEL Training Centre for aspiring young female players who one day hope to play for the Canadian national team. The three-year-old program started in Ontario and has found its way to the prairies.

This is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and CSA. Dave Nutt, the SSA director of soccer operations, and Terrol Russel, the high performance stream manager, were instrumental in attaining this for the girls in our province. Russell has a vision of building something people want to be a part of. His enthusiasm for the sport of soccer in Saskatchewan is contagious.

This is training at its highest level. In years previous, Saskatchewan players would travel to regional training centres in Alberta. With REX, CSA will send their coaches here. This means national exposure right at home on a consistent basis.