'Didn't know what I was getting into': Soccer revival in Botwood

There's a soccer revival underway in central Newfoundland, but the man behind the movement in one town says he's not able to expand the program without a little help.

Alfonso Bellissimo says the soccer field in Botwood sat empty for years.

That is, until he took his own children out to try out the sport in 2013.

"[My boys] were just kicking the ball in the garden and I proposed to them that we go buy some soccer cleats and we'll practise some drills on the field. And they went ahead and told everyone on the hockey team," said Bellissimo.

The children that I'm teaching now are more than happy to teach the younger kids.- Alfonso Bellissimo

Bellissimo said while he hasenjoyed teaching his children and their friends, it hasbeen a hard go.

"Oh boy. I didn't know what I was getting into at first, even though I enjoy soccer and I thought might as well try and give it a go and we had a good turn out. We had about 27 kids that first year."

He coaches the children on his own, using skills he learned as the child of Italian immigrants growing up playing soccer in Toronto, and being alone has made for some serious challenges.

"The major one is having so many kids and unfortunately you have to turn away some kids," he said.

"It's very hard to get volunteers because everyone's working or has other commitments, so that's one of the bigger challenges."

A little help from my friends

Bellissimo said the children he coaches will soon be old enough to help out, and he's hoping that will allow more younger children to take part.

"Over the years I'd had many people approach me to make teams of all ages, but it's very hard, as I mentioned, to get volunteers. I'd like to see this grow and I think it can happen," he recently told CBC Radio's Central Morning Show.

Central Morning5:14Soccer Coach Trying to Revive the Game in Botwood

There's something kicking in Central this summer. We talk to the soccer coach trying to revive the game in Botwood

"Maybe in the next few years, because the children that I'm teaching now are more than happy to teach the younger kids, so I think we can make this grow larger than it is now."

As for anyone who would be willing to help out, Bellissimo said it's pretty easy to find him.

"Many people know who I am because I'm not from Botwood and my name stands out," he said. "It's a small community so there's always someone who has my information."