Local all-star soccer

By Jonathon Brodie / London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie It might have been a few friendly matchups, but the best players from the London and Area Women’s Soccer League (LAWSL), Western Ontario Soccer League (WOSL) and Middlesex Masters Soccer League (MMSL) showcased their talents at the Hellenic Centre soccer field on Thursday (July 12). Local All Star Soccer Game(s) took five years to ramp up, said Abbi Lezizidis, coordinator of the event, but it looks as if the top caliber matchups are off and running with the third edition wrapping up. “What can we do?,” Lezizidis said, a former referee co-ordinator for the WOSL. “We got to showcase this.” About 100 players from across the three leagues made it out for the event, coming from as far as places like Sarnia and Chatham. Players were nominated for the all-star game by their coach and a final selection process was done by each leagues’ president. “Everyone loves this game and everyone loves to get chosen,” Lezizidis said. But, everyone loves winning more in some cases, even if the matchups are just for fun. “Prior to the game I had a couple players (on LAWSL west team) not show up that were chosen,” Lezizidis said. “I went over there (to the red team) and said, ‘Thank you everyone for coming, but one of you have to volunteer to come over here.’ “No one was coming over. It’s clearly East versus West.” All proceeds raised through the event go towards the Canadian Cancer Society. The last two years the event has raised just less than $5,000 for the London Health Sciences Centre. [gallery link="file"] Follow us on Facebook: London Community News