SARS FEARS HIT CPSL A youth team from Italian Serie A Juventus Primavera will not be coming to Canada for exhibition games next week due to SARS. Juventus Primavera was to play the Canadian Professional Soccer League's Brampton Hitmen Sunday and the Hamilton Thunder Tuesday. It is a requirement of the Italian government all groups visiting Canada be quarantined upon return to Italy, said the CPSL's Stan Adamson. Given the large party, the logistics were proving too difficult, he said.

CAMPS OF EXCELLENCE

The Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association again is holding Summer Soccer Camps of Excellence for house league, intermediate and competitive players. The camps for players ages 6-13 run in July at the following sites: London (Lambeth, Byron and German Canadian Club), Ingersoll, Thorndale, Drumbo, Kincardine, Ilderton, Woodstock, Goderich, West Lorne and Glencoe. Cost ranges from $110 to $140 and includes a ball, T-shirt, skill award program and evaluation of skill development. Interested parents can contact Rock Basacco at rbasacco@uwo.ca or see Web site www.proelitesoccer.com.

SISTAS IN SOCCER BEGINS

A new recreational league for women began Sunday with 230 females participating. The league, Sistas in Soccer, has 10 teams of women who range in age from 19 to 45. Some of the women played Sunday for the first time in 25 years. The league runs Sunday afternoons at Banting and Lucas secondary schools and is sponsored by the Nor'West Soccer Club.

SOCCERFEST RETURNS

The 27th annual Soccerfest International gets under way in St. Thomas and Belmont next weekend. The under-11 to under-14 boys and girls play June 21-22. The u-15 to u-19 boys and girls and open women's divisions will play June 28-30. For more information, see the Web site www.soccer-st-thomas.on.ca.