Barker will now be the host school for the merged football and girls soccer teams

The opening of a new multi use artificial turf athletic facility at Barker this past fall has been key to a change in the host school for both the Roy-Hart/Barker football and Lyndonville/Barker girls soccer teams.

For the past few years Roy-Hart has served as the host school for the merged football team and Lyndonville as the host school for the merged girls soccer team.

Now Barker will be serving as the host school for both the merged football and girls soccer teams.

The change will also make for a switch in the league affiliation for the merged girls soccer team which will now be competing in the Niagara-Orleans League. Previously, the Lyndonville/Barker team had competed in the Genesee Region League. The soccer team will be playing some games at Lyndonville.

“Having the turf field is big and I think the change is more beneficial.” said Lyndonville Athletic Director Jim Zeliff of the girls soccer change. “It just makes sense. We will have shorter trips for road games and it helps N-O soccer.”

“I’m very happy to bring it (the host school role) back to our campus,” said Barker Athletic Director Rob Mucha. “We have a great working relationship between the three school districts and all the communities seem to be mutually happy. It’s great to be taking advantage of the turf field and shorter road trips is also a bonus especially for soccer. It’s something special.”

“I think it will help make our student/athletes feel more a part of the community,” added Mucha. “I also think it will help to boost our participation numbers.”